She looked up, startled. "Cruel, what do you mean?" she asked.
"You are cruel to forget so easily. You are cruel to treat me as you have."
"I, cruel; I don't understand," she said, and she thought of his careless manner and how she had waited for him to speak.
"Yes, you women are all alike. You play with us men for the moment, and then we are cast aside like a toy which no longer pleases. I thought you were different from the rest."
Marion looked up into his face with an expression of astonishment. She met his grey eyes, and for a moment she felt again that subtle power she had been dreaming of so long.
"Have you forgotten?" he said slowly.
Marion turned her head away. "Don't talk of that, Mr. Grahame," she answered. "That is all ended."
"It can't be ended while——" He did not finish for he saw a man approaching. "Here we are, Sanderson," he called carelessly. "I suppose you are looking for your wife."
"Yes," answered Roswell, coming nearer. "Mr. Sedger has tea ready on the upper veranda, and he wants his party. You look pale, Marion, is anything the matter?"
"I felt very much upset by that accident. I came here to get away from the people for a moment."