XXIV

           Annastoodlookingfromonetotheother.IthadbecomeapparenttoherinaflashthatOwen’sretort,thoughitstartledSophy,didnottakeherbysurprise;andthediscoveryshotitslightalongdarkdistancesoffear.

           TheimmediateinferencewasthatOwenhadguessedthereasonofDarrow’sdisapprovalofhismarriage,orthat,atleast,hesuspectedSophyVinerofknowinganddreadingit.ThisconfirmationofherownobscuredoubtsentatremorofalarmthroughAnna.Foramomentshefeltlikeexclaiming:“Allthisisreallynobusinessofmine,andIrefusetohaveyoumixmeupinit—”buthersecretfearheldherfast.

           SophyVinerwasthefirsttospeak.

           “Ishouldliketogonow,”shesaidinalowvoice,takingafewstepstowardthedoor.

           HertonewokeAnnatothesenseofherownshareinthesituation.“Iquiteagreewithyou,mydear,thatit’suselesstocarryonthisdiscussion.ButsinceMr.Darrow’snamehasbeenbroughtintoit,forreasonswhichIfailtoguess,Iwanttotellyouthatyou’rebothmistakenifyouthinkhe’snotinsympathywithyourmarriage.Ifthat’swhatOwenmeanstoimply,theidea’sacompletedelusion.”

           Shespokethewordsdeliberatelyandincisively,asifhopingthatthesoundoftheirutterancewouldstiflethewhisperinherbosom.

           Sophy’sonlyanswerwasavaguemurmur,andamovementthatbroughthernearertothedoor;butbeforeshecouldreachitOwenhadplacedhimselfinherway.

           “Idon’tmeantoimplywhatyouthink,”hesaid,addressinghisstep-motherbutkeepinghiseyesonthegirl.