“I believe you know already,” Lindsay cried.
“I have heard something. Don't be alarmed—not from people, from Miss Howe.”
“Wonderful woman! I haven't told her.”
“Is that always necessary? She has intuitions. In this case,” Alicia went on, with immense courage, “I didn't believe them.”
“Why?” he asked enjoyingly. Anything to handle his delight—he would even submit it to analysis.
She hesitated—her business was in great waters, the next instant might engulf her. “It's so curiously unlike you,” she faltered. “If she had been a duchess—a very exquisite person, or somebody very clever—remember I haven't seen her.”
“You haven't, so I must forgive you invidious comparisons.” Lindsay visaged the words with a smile, but they had an articulated hardness.
Alicia raised her eyebrows.
“What do you expect one to imagine?” she asked, with quietness.
“A miracle,” he said sombrely.