Hugh moved from her, and stood with his face averted.
'Can you hesitate for a moment?' she asked severely
'Why need I tell Rolfe? Send for her, and say what you like. Won't that be enough? It's awful to think of telling Rolfe. Don't ask me do to that, Sibyl.'
He approached her, voice and attitude broken to humility. Sibyl grew only more resolute.
'You must tell him. Don't you owe it me?'
'By God, I can't do that!—I can't do that! Have her here, before us both. Shame her and threaten her as much as you like; but don't tell Rolfe. It's like you and me, Sibyl. Suppose she has really done no wrong, and we put that thought into his mind?'
'Have you lost all your senses?' she exclaimed passionately. 'Must I keep reminding you what she has done to me? Is a woman that will behave in that way likely to be innocent? Is her husband to be kept in the dark about her, deceived, cheated? I can't understand you. If you are too cowardly to do your plain duty—Hugh, how am I talking? You make me forget myself. But you know that it's impossible to spare your friend. It wouldn't be just to him. Here's a form; write the telegram at once.'
'Write it yourself,' he answered, in a low, nerveless voice, moving away again.
It was quickly done, though Sibyl paused to reflect after the first word or two. The message ran thus——
'I want to see you and Mrs. Rolfe before going away. Please both come this evening if possible. If you cannot, reply when.'