"My dear—you know what's the matter with her?"
"That," said Jane slowly, "is what I thought of. She might have been happy if it hadn't been for me."
"That was out of the question," said Sophy, with some asperity.
"Was it? Well, anyhow, she's happy now."
"Jinny, you're beyond anything. Do you mean to tell me that was what you did it for?"
"Partly. I had to have some one. But, yes, that's why I had Gertrude."
"Well, if you did it for Gertrude it was cruel kindness. Encouraging her in her preposterous——"
"Don't, Sophy. There couldn't be anything more innocent on earth."
"Oh, innocent, I dare say. But I've no patience with the folly of it."
"I have. It might so easily have been me."