XXV

           Annastoodinthemiddleoftheroom,hereyesonthedoor.Darrow’squestioninggazewasstillonher,andshesaidtoherselfwithaquick-drawnbreath:“Ifonlyhedoesn’tcomenearme!”

           Itseemedtoherthatshehadbeensuddenlyendowedwiththefatalgiftofreadingthesecretsenseofeveryseeminglyspontaneouslookandmovement,andthatinhisleastgestureofaffectionshewoulddetectacolddesign.

           Foramomentlongerhecontinuedtolookatherenquiringly;thenheturnedawayandtookuphishabitualstandbythemantel-piece.Shedrewadeepbreathofrelief.

           “Won’tyoupleaseexplain?”hesaid.

           “Ican’texplain:Idon’tknow.Ididn’tevenknow—tillshetoldyou—thatshereallymeanttobreakherengagement.AllIknowisthatshecametomejustnowandsaidshewishedtoleaveGivretoday;andthatOwen,whenheheardofit—forshehadn’ttoldhim—atonceaccusedherofgoingawaywiththesecretintentionofthrowinghimover.”

           “Andyouthinkit’sadefinitebreak?”Sheperceived,asshespoke,thathisbrowhadcleared.

           “HowshouldIknow?Perhapsyoucantellme.”

           “I?”Shefanciedhisfacecloudedagain,buthedidnotmovefromhistranquilattitude.

           “AsItoldyou,”shewenton,“Owenhasworkedhimselfuptoimaginingthatforsomemysteriousreasonyou’veinfluencedSophyagainsthim.”

           Darrowstillvisiblywondered.“Itmustindeedbeamysteriousreason!HeknowshowslightlyIknowMissViner.Whyshouldheimagineanythingsowildlyimprobable?”

           “Idon’tknowthateither.”

           “Buthemusthavehintedatsomereason.