"You went to Burton's Inn," sententiously.
"But, Sara, you must believe me. I did not know he was—married. For God's sake, do me the justice to—"
"But you went there with him," insisted the other, her eyes hard as steel. "It doesn't matter whether he was married—or free. You WENT."
Hetty threw herself upon her companion's breast and wound her strong young arms about her.
"Sara, Sara, you must let me explain—you must let me tell you everything. Don't stop me! You have refused to hear my plea—"
"And I still refuse!" cried Sara, throwing her off angrily. "Good God, do you think I will listen to you? If you utter another word, I will—strangle you!"
Hetty shrank back, terrified. Slowly she moved backward in the direction of the door, never taking her eyes from the impassioned face of her protector.
"Don't, Sara, please don't!" she begged. "Don't look at me like that! I promise—I promise. Forgive me! I would not give you an instant's pain for all the world. You would suffer, you would—"
Sara suddenly put her hands over her eyes. A single moan escaped her lips—a hoarse gasp of pain.
"Dearest!" cried Hetty, springing to her side.