“Of course not,” said Robina. “Well, I cannot tell you any more.”
“I am much puzzled,” said Mr Durrant, “and your manner to-night is the reverse of reassuring.” He left Robina a few minutes afterwards, and she walked by herself for a short time. She was just going back to the house when a hand was laid on her arm, and a girl looked eagerly into her face.
“So you were talking to him?”
“What do you mean?” said Robina. She almost flung Harriet’s hand aside.
“I have discovered something,” said Harriet. Harriet’s face was absolutely white. It looked curious and almost dreadful in the light caused by the moon which was now rising. “It was Jane who found out,” she said. “You were in the hammock all the time. You heard us; you listened; you are an eavesdropper. Have you told Mr Durrant what I said to Jane?”
“No,” replied Robina, in a low tone.
“But you did listen?”
“I did: I was in the hammock. How did you find out?”
“We found your handkerchief on the ground when we were passing a few moments afterwards; and you left your book behind you. Your book was in the hammock; your handkerchief on the ground; you dare not deny it; you heard every word.”
“I heard every word,” said Robina.