After the Wrandalls had departed, Sara took Hetty off to her room. The girl knew what was coming.
"Hetty," said the older woman, facing her after she had closed the door of her boudoir, "what is going on between you and Brandon Booth? I must have the truth. Are you doing anything foolish?"
"Foolish? Heaven help me, no! It—it is a tragedy," cried Hetty, meeting her gaze with one of utter despair.
"What has happened? Tell me!"
"What am I to do, Sara darling? He—he has told me that he—he—"
"Loves you?"
"Yes."
"And you have told him that his love is returned?"
"I couldn't help it. I was carried away. I did not mean to let him see that I—"
"You are such a novice in the business of love," said Sara sneeringly. "You are in the habit of being carried away, I fear."