Rachel's pale and sharpened features and dilated eye struck her with a painful surprise.
'I shall soon be as well as I am ever likely to be—that is, quite well,' answered Rachel. 'You have been very kind. I've heard of your coming here, and sending, so often.'
They sat down side by side, and Dorcas held her hand.
'Maybe, Rachel dear, you would like to drive a little?'
'No, darling, not yet; it is very good of you.'
'You have been so ill, my poor Rachel.'
'Ill and troubled, dear—troubled in mind, and miserably nervous.'
Poor Rachel! her nature recoiled from deceit, and she told, at all events, as much of the truth as she dared.
Dorcas's large eyes rested upon her with a grave enquiry, and then Miss
Brandon looked down in silence for a while on the carpet, and was
thinking a little sternly, maybe, and with a look of pain, still holding
Rachel's hand, she said, with a sad sort of reproach in her tone,
'Rachel, dear, you have not told my secret?'