'Please!—You do know!'

This remark appeared to add to her distress. She made a quick little gesture.

'Oh, no, I don't mean—not that I want you to——'

'Not so loud! Quick! Please go!'

'But it's so terribly hard for you. I can't bear—I can't bear to think of your having to—people just mustn't know about it, that's all! We've got to do something. She mustn't—You see, I love you, and....

Their eyes met.

A deep dominating voice came from the doorway.

'You had better go to your room, Cicely,' it said.

They turned like guilty children.

Cicely flushed, then quietly went.