“Oh, no, you must not think of any such thing: I must begin to face the world alone at once. I assure you, Mrs. Crawford, I could not come here. I should only keep your friends away.”
“But nobody knows you.”
“Sooner or later I should meet someone who does. There are hundreds of people who know me by sight, who travel every year. Besides, my case is a very public one, unfortunately. May I take you into my confidence?”
“If you wish, my dear. I dont ask you for it; but I will take it kindly.”
“I know you will. You must have heard all about me. Mr. Forster’s real name is Douglas.”
Mrs. Crawford stifled a whoop of surprise. “And you! Are you——?”
“I am.”
“Only think! And that was Douglas! Why, I thought he was a straight-haired, sleeky, canting snake of a man. And you too are not a bit like what I thought. You are quite a person, Mrs.—Mrs. Conolly.”
“I have no right to bear that name any longer. Pray call me by my assumed name still, and keep my secret. I hope you do not believe all the newspapers said?”
“No, of course not,” said Mrs. Crawford. “But whose fault was it?”