"Thank you," she said. "I am glad you have told me the truth at last. It will enable me to right a wrong that I did whilst labouring under a false impression."
"Better not stir up old grievances, Kitty. Let the dead past bury its dead. Now will you not kiss and be friends?"
He drew her towards him and kissed her, but as he touched her lips with his she shivered and shrank visibly.
"You promised to release me when I had heard the tale about Hetty Stapleton. May I ask you to keep your word?" said Kathleen.
"Certainly, dear."
Mr. Torrance released the hand he held, walked to the door and opened it for her to pass out.
She did so without bestowing a glance upon him, and went up to her own room. Five minutes later she left the house, and went straight to Oakwood, where she knew Miss Stapleton was staying.
Hetty was in, and when she saw Kathleen she met her kindly, but with a gravity very unlike the old cordial welcome.
"Hetty," said Kathleen, "I am here to tell you that I know all the truth as to your old acquaintance with Mr. Torrance. I hate myself as I look back on that day when I insulted you cruelly and grossly! I had formed a certain impression, and I now know that it was wrong in every respect. I have only myself to blame, for I had not been told, in so many words, what I asserted. I wish I could make amends to you."
"No harm followed, except that I was grieved at being misjudged by you. I am sure you came to me as soon as you knew the truth," said Hetty.