"And when Dr. Sinclair hears of it he will understand it the same way."
"He will do no such thing. He is too much of a man."
Miss MacAllister spoke bravely. But the thrust had gone home. If there was one thing she dreaded, it was the thought that she should make herself cheap, that she should appear to offer her love instead of having her love sought and won. The thought stung. But she would not acknowledge it.
"Jessie, has Dr. Sinclair spoken to you of marriage?"
"Mother, I cannot understand what makes you imagine such things. Dr. Sinclair has never spoken of the subject of marriage, even in the remotest and most impersonal way."
"Has he ever told you that he loves you?"
"Mother, I refuse to discuss this subject any further. It is absurd."
"You may say that it is absurd if you wish, Jessie. But, after the way you acted to-day, I thought that there must surely be some ground for your championship of him."
Again the implication stung. Had she been making herself cheap? Was her secret which she had refused to acknowledge to herself laid bare before everybody? She winced at the thought. But she said nothing.
Her mother pursued her advantage: