"Jamie told me—half-an-hour ago, I believe—I am not sure."
"No; that was a secondary matter," said Fulvia. Her face hardened, and her tone grew harsh. "If you had known us both to be drowning, would you have left Ethel to come to me?"
Nigel attempted no answer.
"Nigel—look at me!" she said sharply—even imperiously, as she had before spoken to Daisy. "Look at me, and answer. Why should you be afraid? Would you have left Ethel to come to me?"
Even these words did not rouse him. He made an effort to respond, but the heavy eyes seemed almost unable to lift themselves. Fulvia had seen him like this once before. Her mood changed with curious suddenness, as Fulvia's moods were wont to change. The hardness vanished, and pity took its place.
"You are done up," she said. "Was it the thought that Ethel was drowned?"
Nigel was silent.
"And I—you did not think of me—"
"I did not know—"
"Was I cruel to ask that question just now?" Fulvia inquired, almost whispering the words.