"No, no, Sarah," he murmured uneasily.
"Then why—?"
He was covered with shame and confusion. His face was turned away. "I did not like to come," he said desperately.
"Why not?" Crimson patches came and went on her white cheeks; her heart beat madly.
"Surely thou canst understand!"
"Understand what? I speak of green and thou answerest of blue!"
"I answer as thou askest."
"Thou answerest not at all."
"No answer is also an answer," he snarled, driven to bay. "Thou understandest well enough. Thyself saidst it was public talk."
"Ah—h—h!" in a stifled shriek of despair. Her intuition divined everything. The shadowy, sinister suggestions she had so long beat back by force of will took form and substance. Her head fell back on the pillow, the eyes closed.