Her glance wandered toward Hamil so unconsciously that Constance caught her breath.

But the spell was on her still; she, too, looked at Hamil; admonition, prejudice, inculcated precept, wavered hazily.
"Because I care so much for Mr.Hamil," continued the girl innocently.
For one instant, in her inmost intelligence, Miss Palliser fiercely questioned that innocence; then, convinced, looked questioningly at the girl beside her.

So questioningly that Shiela answered: "What ?"--as though the elder woman had spoken.
"I don't know, dear....

Is there anything you--you cared to ask me ?--say to me ?--tell me ?--perhaps--" "About what ?" So fearless and sweet and true the gaze that met her own that Constance hesitated.
"About Mr.Hamil ?" The girl looked at her; understood her; and the colour mounted to her temples.
"No," she said slowly, "there is nothing to tell anybody....

There never will be." "I wish there were, child." Certainly Constance must have gone quite mad under the spell, for she had Shiela's soft hands in hers again, and was pressing them close between her palms, repeating: "I am sorry; I am, indeed.