She had not had anything to lose by sticking to her sister. Now it seemed to her that she had everything to lose. The thought of Alice was a perpetual annoyance to her.
For the neighborhood that had received Mrs. Steven Rowcliffe had barred her sister.
As long as Alice Greatorex lived at Upthorne Mary went in fear.
This fear was so intolerable to her that at last she spoke of it to
Rowcliffe.
They were sitting together in his study after dinner. The two armchairs were always facing now, one on each side of the hearth.
"I wish I knew what to do about Alice," she said.
"What to do about her?"
"Yes. Am I to have her at the house or not?"
He stared.
"Of course you're to have her at the house."