"No; not Mr. Keith."
"A woman, perhaps?"
"Yes; a woman." She spoke with a hauteur which Mrs. Wentworth had never seen in her.
"Cousin Louise," she said suddenly, after a moment's reflection, "I think I ought to say to you that I will never speak to Mr. Wickersham again."
The color rushed to Mrs. Wentworth's face, and her eyes gave a flash. "You will never do what?" she demanded coldly, looking at her with lifted head.
"I will never meet Mr. Wickersham again."
"You appear to have met him once too often already. I think you do not know what you are saying or whom you are speaking to."
"I do perfectly," said Lois, looking her full in the eyes.
"I think you had better go to your room," said Mrs. Wentworth, angrily.
The color rose to Lois's face, and her eyes were sparkling. Then the color ebbed back again as she restrained herself.