Strelsa, flushed, breathing rapidly and irregularly, sat there in bed watching her; but Molly avoided her brilliant, level gaze.
"There's no use in talking to you," she said, "but why on earth you don't marry Sir Charles——"
"Molly! Please don't——"
"—Or Rix——"
"Molly! Molly! Can't you let me alone! Can't we be together for ten minutes unless you urge me to marry somebody? Why do you want me to marry anybody!—Why——"
"But you're going to marry Langly, you say!"
"Yes, I am! I am! But can't you let me forget it for a moment or two? I—I'm not very well——"
"I can't help it," said Molly, grimly. "I'm sorry, darling, but the moment your engagement to Langly is announced there'll be a horrid smash and some people are going to be spattered——"
"It isn't announced!" said the girl hotly. "Only you and Rix know about it except Langly and myself!"
Molly Wycherly rose from her chair, went over and seated herself on the foot of the bed: