She did not help him out. She sat down, or rather crouched, on the steps of the loft.
He said very gently but resolutely: "You think, then, that your sister committed these crimes."
She put up her hands. "Do not, do not say it. Oh, I have never thought it possible that you could be so cruel as to say such a thing to me. Leave me in peace; for God's sake, leave me!"
"Child! even if I could leave you, it is not right that you should go on nursing this terrible suspicion alone. In the back of your mind you believe this thing, and think that some time—any time, she may repeat the crime; and the terror of it is killing you."
She was trembling violently, her face buried in her hands.
"Have you allowed anyone else to know of this suspicion of yours? Tell me, have you talked it over with a single soul?"
"No, no; oh, no," she moaned. "For pity's sake, stop speaking! I never thought anyone would dare to say this to me."
"That is just what I supposed. You have nursed the idea in absolute secret. You have not even allowed your sister herself to know what you think."
"I beg that you will say no more."