We finished dinner early. By-the-way, there were two
other people there--Lady Edith Manley and her boy. They had rowed down
from somewhere--"
"Did Lady Edith--"
"Yes--she spoke to me. She was going back to town--to the Holland House
party--"
"Where she probably met mother?"
"She did meet her!" cried Kitty. She pointed to a letter which she had
thrown down as she entered. "Your mother sent round this note to me this
morning--to ask when I should be at home. And Wilson sent word--There!
Of course I know she thinks I'm capable of anything."
She looked at him, defiant, but very miserable and pale.
"Go on, please," said Ashe.
"We finished dinner early. There was a field behind the inn, and then a
wood. We strolled into the wood, and then Geoffrey--well, he went mad!
He--"
She bit her lip fiercely, struggling for composure--and words.
"He proposed to you to throw me over?" said Ashe, as white as she.
With a sudden gesture she held out her arms--like a piteous child.
"Oh! don't stand there--and look at me like that--I can't bear it."
Ashe came--unwillingly. She perceived the reluctance, and with a flaming
face she motioned him back, while she controlled herself enough to pour
out her story.
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