The feeling which surged through Betty Vanderpoel's being forced her to
go and stand with her face turned towards the windows, her hands holding
each other tightly behind her back.
"I must keep still," she said. "I must make myself keep still."
She spoke unconsciously half aloud, and Ughtred heard her and replied
hurriedly.
"Yes," he said, "you must make yourself keep still. That is what we have
to do whatever happens. That is one of the things mother wanted you to
know. She is afraid. She daren't let you----"
She turned from the window, standing at her full height and looking very
tall for a girl.
"She is afraid? She daren't? See--that will come to an end now. There
are things which can be done."
He flushed nervously.
"That is what she was afraid you would say," he spoke fast and his hands
trembled. "She is nearly wild about it, because she knows he will try to
do something that will make you feel as if she does not want you."
"She is afraid of that?" Betty exclaimed.
"He'd do it! He'd do it--if you did not know beforehand."
"Oh!" said Betty, with unflinching clearness. "He is a liar, is he?"
The helpless rage in the unchildish eyes, the shaking voice, as he cried
out in answer, were a shock.
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