’Hasn’t it been rather unwise of you, keeping away from me all this time?’

‘Unwise?  I hardly see your meaning.’

‘It looked rather as if you felt afraid to meet me.’

‘I see; that is your point of view.’  Sibyl seemed to reflect upon it calmly.  ’To me, on the other hand, it appeared rather strange that I neither saw nor heard from you at a time when other friends were showing their sympathy.  I heard that you were ill for a short time, and felt sorry I was unable to call.  Later, you still kept silence.  I didn’t know the reason, and could hardly be expected to ask for it.  As for being afraid to meet you —­ that, I suppose, is a suspicion natural to your mind.  We won’t discuss it.  Is there any other question you would like to ask?’

Humiliated by her inability to reply with anything but a charge she could not support, and fearing the violence of her emotions if she were longer subjected to this frigid insult, Alma rose.

‘One moment, if you please,’ continued Mrs. Carnaby.  ’I was glad that you had come, as I had half wished for an opportunity of speaking a few words to you.  It isn’t a matter of much importance, but I may as well say, perhaps, that you are indiscreet in your way of talking about me to your friends.  Of course, we haven’t many acquaintances in common, but I happen to have heard the opinion of me which you expressed to —­ let me see, some ladies named Leach, whom I once knew slightly.  It seems hardly worth while to take serious steps in the matter —­ though I might find it necessary.  I only wish, in your own interest, to say a word of warning.  You have behaved, all things considered’ —­ she dwelt on the phrase —­ ‘rather indiscreetly.’

‘I said what I knew to be the truth,’ replied Alma, meeting her look with the satisfaction of defiance.

Sibyl approached one step.

‘You knew it?’ she asked, very softly and deliberately, searching the passionate face with eyes as piercing as they were beautiful.

‘With certainty.’

‘I used to think you intelligent,’ said Sibyl, ’but I fancy you don’t perceive what this “certainty” of yours suggests.’  She paused, with a curling lip.  ’Let me put you on your guard.  You have very little command of your primitive feelings, and they bring you into danger.  I should be sorry to think that an unpleasant story I have heard whispered was anything more than ill-natured scandal, but it’s as well to warn you that other people have a taste for that kind of gossip.’

‘I’m well aware of it,’ flashed the listener.  ’And that was the very reason why I came to ask you where Mrs. Strangeways is hiding.’

’Mrs. Rolfe, you are aware of too many things.  In your position I should be uneasy.’

‘I will leave you to enjoy your own uneasiness,’ returned Alma, with a contemptuous laugh.  ’You must have enough of it, without imagining that of others.’