"Oh, Jane," she said humbly, "I—I don't know how to thank you. Will you mind very much?"
"You mustn't be surprised if I fail," Jane said slowly.
Athena again sank on to her knees. But all the humility had gone from the voice in which she uttered her words. "Oh, but you mustn't fail, Jane! It would kill me." She hesitated—"You will be very careful what you say to Richard? You will not—you need not mention——"
Jane put out her hand with a quick gesture as if to ward off the name Athena was about to utter.
"No, no," she cried vehemently, and it was the first time she had spoken with any strength in her tones. "You need not be afraid. Of course I shall mention no one—I think you can trust me, Athena."
CHAPTER XVIII
"Il y a des hommes qu'on trompe, et d'autres qu'on trahit, en accomplissant le même acte."
Richard Maule heard the door of his bedroom close behind Jane Oglander.