"But who could have written that wicked letter? Mother will not tell us—even if she knows, which I doubt."
"I fancy I know. And you must not exaggerate, even in your love for me. I don't suppose the letter was wicked, though it may have been spiteful."
"It accused you of the most dreadful things."
"If it be dreadful to meet the man you love, and in secret, then I have been behaving dreadfully."
"O-oh!"
"And that is just what I came home to confess." She paused at the sight of Molly's face. "What! are you against me too? Then I must fight this out alone, it seems."
"Darling Hetty, you must not—ah, don't look so at me!"
But Hetty turned her back. "Please leave me."
"If you had only written—"
"That would take long to explain. I am tired, and it is not worth while; please leave me."