‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ he asked, annoyed.
‘Because you say I’m a little beast, so I may as well do the thing thoroughly.’
Charles went across to the bell.
‘No—don’t ring,’ said Laura jumping up. ‘I’ll go and tell her.’ And she went to the door, but hesitated, and came back to him, and laid her hand on his arm.
He withdrew his arm.
‘Charles—are you so angry with me?’ she asked.
‘You’ve behaved simply disgracefully,’ he answered in a voice of deep disgust. ‘You would sacrifice anybody to provide your friends with a new sensation.’
Laura looked at him. It was true; or had been true. But she wasn’t going to ever any more, she was going to turn over a new leaf—next day, when she had finished with all her tiresome and important engagements.
‘You sacrificed that child’—began Charles, passionately indignant when he thought of the unconscious figure on the floor.
‘Don’t you sacrifice her,’ interrupted Laura. And when Charles stared at her, too angry for speech, she added hastily, ‘Oh, don’t let’s quarrel, Charles darling. I’m sure you’ll take the greatest care of her. I’ll go and fetch her. Drive slowly, won’t you—and bring her back safe. Tomorrow I’m going to hand her over to her husband.’