She kissed the girl, rather coldly this time, and turned to go.
Mary stood quite motionless during the embrace, as if in a state of unconsciousness.
But after Catherine had gone a few yards across the lawn, the girl awoke suddenly from her stupefaction. She took two or three rapid steps in the direction of the retreating figure, then feeling her strength fail her she stood still, and stretching out her arms, shrieked out, "Stop! stop! stop!"
Catherine was startled by the wildness of the cry, and turned round and looked at her.
"Stop!" once more cried the girl with fierce energy as she approached the woman. "You shall know before you go—I do love him—not Mr. Hudson—but another—Dr. Duncan!"
It had come at last.
Catherine strode up to her and grasped her by the arm.
"Do I hear you aright? You tell me that—you love him?" she exclaimed savagely.
Mary gave one low wail and fell fainting to the ground.
One of the little children who was at the other end of the lawn saw her fall, and ran indoors to tell her mother.