Turning, looking for the door, she fell softly on to her knees.  In a moment Harvey had raised her, and seated her in the chair which Hugh pushed forward.  Sibyl, motionless, looked on.  Seeing that Alma had not lost consciousness, she awaited her next word.

‘We will go away,’ said Hugh, under his breath; and he beckoned to Sibyl.  Reluctantly she took a step towards him, but was stopped by Alma’s voice.

’Don’t go on my account.  Haven’t you any question to ask me?  When I go, I shan’t be anxious to see you again.  Don’t look frightened; I know what I am talking about.  My head went round for a moment —­ and no wonder.  Stand there, face to face. —­ Leave me alone, Harvey; I can stand very well.  I want her to ask me anything she has to ask.  It’s her only chance, now.  I won’t see her again —­ never after this.’

‘Mrs. Carnaby,’ said Rolfe, ’there must be an end of it.  You had better ask Alma what she has against you.’

Sibyl, summoning all her cold dignity, stood before the half-distraught woman, and looked her in the eyes.

‘What harm or wrong have I done you, Mrs. Rolfe, that you hate me so?’

‘None that I know of, until you brought me here today.’

’But you have said that you think me no better than a guilty hypocrite, and isn’t it natural that I should defend myself?’

’Quite natural.  You have done it very cleverly till now, and perhaps you will to the end.  I feel sure there is no evidence against you, except the word of the woman who told your husband; and even if she comes forward, you have only to deny, and keep on denying.’

‘Then why do you believe that woman rather than me?’

Alma answered only with a frivolous laugh.  Sibyl, turning her head, looked an appeal to the listeners.

‘Mrs. Rolfe,’ said Hugh, in a rough, imploring voice, ’have you no other answer?  You can’t ruin people’s lives like this, as if it were sport to you.’

Alma gazed at him, as if she had but just observed his face.

‘You have gone through dreadful things,’ she said earnestly.  ’I’m sorry to cause you more trouble, but the fault is hers.  She got that secret from you, and it delighted her.  Go on believing what she says; it’s the best way when all’s over and done with.  You can never know as I do.’

She laughed again, a little spurt of joyless merriment.  Upon that, in the same moment, followed a loud hysterical cry; then sobs and wailing, with movements as if to tear open the clothing that choked her.  Sibyl hastened away, and returned with her vinaigrette, which she handed to Rolfe.  But already the crisis was over.  Alma lay back in a chair, sobbing quietly, with head bent aside.

Carnaby and his wife, after an exchange of signals, silently left the room.  Rolfe paced backwards and forwards for a minute or two, until he heard his name spoken; then he drew near, and Alma looked at him with her own eyes once more.