"
Here Mary saw a ray of light, and snatched at it. "But in that case
mightn't the need for them pass, as she grows stronger?"
"I lay no claim to be a prophet, my dear."
"For it does seem strange that I never noticed anything," went on Mary,
more to herself than to him. "I've seen Agnes at all hours of the
day. . . when she wasn't in the least expecting visitors.--Yes, Richard, I
do know people sometimes eat things to take the smell away. But the idea
of Agnes doing anything so . . . so low--oh, isn't it JUST possible there
might be some mistake?"
"Oh, well, if you're going to imitate Ocock and try to teach me my
business!" gave back Mahony with an angry gesture, and sitting down at
the table, he pulled books and papers to him.
"As if such a thing would ever occur to me! It's only that . . . that
somehow my brain won't take it in. Agnes has always been such a dear
good little soul, all kindness. She's never done anybody any harm or
said a hard word about any one, all the years I've known her. I simply
CAN'T believe it of her, and that's the truth. As for what people will
say when it gets about that you've been shown the door in a house like
Mr. Henry's--why, I'm afraid even to think of it!" and powerless any
longer to keep back her tears, Mary hastened from the room.
But she also thought it wiser to get away before Richard had time to
frame the request that she should break off all intercourse with Plevna
House.
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