I tried to act as if he was not hurting me, but my hands trembled, and a lump kept rising in my throat.

When we returned to the drawing-room, and at last he left us together, I was praying and praying that I might be able to keep from breaking down." She stopped and swallowed hard.

Betty held her hands firmly until she went on.
"For a few minutes, I sat still, and tried to think of some new subject--something about the church or the village.

But I could not begin to speak because of the lump in my throat.

And then, suddenly, but quietly, Mr.Ffolliott got up.