Then she recognised Jasper. Her self-consciousness became a thing of the vivid and inevitable present. It was not possible for her to shirk the clamour of her emotions.
Jasper reddened like a boy. He faltered, and then let the two horses and the curricle splash through the shallow water.
Nance had gone very white, with the whiteness of pride that resists. Why did the man thrust himself into her life? She hardened herself against him, and tried to find the impress of the repulsive things she had heard of him upon his face.
"Have you heard the news——?"
Her eyes were two shadowy circles of reticent distrust.
"What news?"
"It was a false alarm last night. The beacon was fired by mistake."
She looked at him and was silent, and her very silence was resistant. Benham had a whole flood of fierce doubts and yearnings urging him forward against her reserve.
"Nance, why did you shut your window on me last night?"
"What right had you to come?"