"John!" she cried sharply.
"It must be an annoyance to feel that I can't behave like a rational being when I'm near you; I suppose I shan't behave like one to-day, although I came here determined to have a plain talk with you at last."
Rachel's face paled yet more. "Better not, John!"
"I must! I've tried to stop my ears but I can't; it's no use. Rachel, it's said that you married Belhaven to save your sister."
She was silent; her clasped hands quivered slightly.
Charter looked at her with love and reproach.
"I understand, I had no right to say it to you, but—Rachel, it's more than I can bear!"
His cry touched her heart as no agony of her own had ever touched it.
"You're very brave, John, I've always believed in you; you're good, you've got to help me bear it."
"Isn't that mocking me?" he asked bitterly.