She was, as it were, anticipating insinuation from other quarters.

She was playing Ranulph's game, because she instinctively felt that behind this story there was gloom in his mind and mystery in the tale itself.

She noticed too that he shrank from her words.

She was not very quick of intellect, so she had to feel her way fumblingly.

She must have time to think, but she said tentatively: "I suppose it's no secret?
I can tell any one at all what happened to your father ?" she asked.
"Oh so--sure so!" he said rather eagerly.