"Hilda?"
"Yes. I wanted her to take charge of things for me in France. She elects to stay here."
"But why?"
"She's a—woman."
"You don't mean that. And I must say that I am rather glad that she is not going."
It was out at last! She had a feeling as if she had taken a cold plunge and had survived it!
"Glad? What do you mean, Emily?"
"Every time I waked in the night, I thought of Jean and of how she would feel if Hilda went with you. Do you realize that if she goes, there are things that the world will say?"
His face was stern. "You are very brave to tell me that, Emily."
"It had to be said, and last night I shirked it."