“Tell me about him,� she said in a low voice; “I know he has lost nearly everything.�
Dr. Cheyney’s lips tightened a little, and he frowned. “Why do you want to know?� he asked gravely.
She blushed deeply and painfully. “You mean I have no right?�
He nodded, looking at the fire.
“Perhaps, I haven’t,� she admitted quickly, pleadingly. “But there is Diana—has he made her hate me?�
“She thinks you dead,� Dr. Cheyney replied quietly.
“Dead?� She shuddered, looking up with frightened eyes. Then her face blazed angrily. “What right had he to do it? What right—to make her believe a falsehood?�
The old man’s eyes met hers gravely, rebukingly. “Wasn’t it the best way, Letty?� he asked gently.
Her blush deepened again, her brow, her chin, even her throat were crimson. She bit her quivering lip until the blood came. “You are very cruel,� she said bitterly, “you righteous people!�
Dr. Cheyney leaned heavily on the mantel, his eyes on the fire. “Would you have had us tell a little innocent child that, Letty? Tell her that her mother had deserted her and brought shame upon her?�