Lettice was seated in a drooping attitude on the sofa, leaning forward, as if lost in thought. At this question, she lifted her face straightway, aglow with the eager desire to speak, the certainty that he would believe her.
Once more her lips parted with the outbursting, "No, no! Oh, no!" And again the checking thought of Felix came. If she were cleared, would not suspicion fall upon him? Would not Sissie have desired her at every hazard to shelter Felix?
"Not one word!"
She pressed her lips to his hand, but did not speak, and Dr. Bryant drew the hand away.
"Am I to count you guilty—you, my little Lettice!" The Doctor could hardly speak. "Child, this is too terrible."
"If only you would not ask—" she faltered.
"Not ask! Rubbish!" The Doctor was growing angry. "I must ask. What on earth do you mean? Things look dark, and I offer to trust you absolutely, if you simply say 'No.' If you do not, what can I think, but that you did take the money?"
Lettice patiently dropped her head again. "For Felix's sake! For Sissie's sake!" she kept saying. And she forgot what was due to this kind uncle to whom she owed so much.
"Did you take it, Lettice?" The Doctor spoke severely now, and his brows were drawn together.
The girl's chest heaved.