The "nudity of things" brought her an instant's impulse toward hysteria--it was so characteristic a touch of candid exaggeration.

But her need for reflection helped her to control it.

Elfrida had taken a different ground from the one she expected--it was less simple, and a mere apology, however sincere, would not meet it.
But there was one thing more which she could say, and with an effort she said it.
"Elfrida, suppose that, even as an expression of opinion--putting it aside as an expression of feeling toward you--what I said that day was not quite sincere.
Suppose that I was not quite mistress of myself--I would rather not tell you why--" "Is that true ?" asked Elfrida directly.
"Yes, it is true.

For the moment I wanted more than anything else in the world to break with you.

I took the surest means." The other girl regarded Janet steadfastly.