XXVII

           DarrowhadnoideahowlonghehadsattherewhenheheardAnna’shandonthedoor.Theeffortofrising,andofcomposinghisfacetomeether,gavehimafactitioussenseofself-control.Hesaidtohimself:“Imustdecideonsomething——”andthatliftedhimahair’sbreadthabovethewhirlingwaters.

           Shecameinwithalighterstep,andheinstantlyperceivedthatsomethingunforeseenandreassuringhadhappened.

           “She’sbeenwithme.Shecameandfoundmeontheterrace.We’vehadalongtalkandshe’sexplainedeverything.IfeelasifI’dneverknownherbefore!”

           Hervoicewassomovedandtenderthatitcheckedhisstartofapprehension.

           “She’sexplained——?”

           “It’snatural,isn’tit,thatsheshouldhavefeltalittlesoreatthekindofinspectionshe’sbeensubjectedto?Oh,notfromyou—Idon’tmeanthat!ButMadamedeChantelle’sopposition—andhersendingforAdelaidePainter!Shetoldmefranklyshedidn’tcaretooweherhusbandtoAdelaidePainter....ShethinksnowthatherannoyanceatfeelingherselfsotalkedoverandscrutinizedmayhaveshownitselfinhermannertoOwen,andsethimimaginingtheinsanethingshedid....Iunderstandallshemusthavefelt,andIagreewithherthatit’sbestsheshouldgoawayforawhile.She’smademe,”Annasummedup,“feelasifI’dbeendreadfullythick-skinnedandobtuse!”

           “You?”

           “Yes.AsifI’dtreatedherlikethebric-a-bracthatusedtobesentdownhere‘onapproval,’toseeifitwouldlookwellwiththeotherpieces.