"
Elizabeth was bending over her dog, but even Tavernake,
unobservant though he was, could see that she was shaken.
"Pritchard is a clever man, generally," she remarked,
"diabolically clever. Why has he told you all this, I wonder?
He must have known that you would probably repeat it to me. Why
does he want to show me his hand?"
"I have no idea," Tavernake replied. "These matters are all
beyond me. They do not concern me in any way. I am not keeping
you from your friends? Please send me away when you like."
"Don't go just yet," she begged. "Sit with me for a moment.
Can't you see," she added, whispering, "that I have had a shock?
Sit with me. I can't go back to those others just yet."
Tavernake did as he was bidden. The woman at his side was still
caressing the little animal she carried. Watching her, however,
Tavernake could see that her bosom was rising and falling
quickly. There was an unnatural pallor in her cheeks, a
terrified gleam in her eyes. Nevertheless, these things passed.
In a very few seconds she was herself again.
"Come," she said, "it is not often that I give way. The only
time I am ever afraid is when there is something which I do not
understand. I do not understand Mr. Pritchard to-night. I know
that he is my enemy. I cannot imagine why he should talk to you.
He must have known that you would repeat all he said. It is not
like him. Tell me, Mr. Tavernake, you have heard all sorts of
things about me.
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