“No, no; don't tell her that. Take her away; I cannot look at her. Take her away; tell her anything but that.”
Clare gasped. She caught the arm which Agnes held out to her.
“Clare,” said Agnes, “you must nerve yourself for the worst. Mr. Westwood wishes to be released from his engagement to you. He has heard something; that is to say, he has come to the conclusion that—that he must leave this country without delay—in short, to-morrow he sets out for Africa once more.”
“That is not true!” cried Clare. “I can hear the false ring in your words. Claude—Claude, you do not mean”—
“Take her away—take her away! I cannot look at her. I see him—him in the room.”
The girl gave a start, and looked from the one to the other. She straightened herself and the expression on her face was one of defiance.
“Very well,” she said. “Yes, it is very well.”
She gave a long sigh, then a gasp. Her face became deathly white. She did not fall. Agnes had caught her in her arms.