Her madness had taken hold of her.
"I do not think I would have minded so much," she continued, "if Ethne had really cared for you; but she never cared more than as a friend cares, just a mere friend.

And what's friendship worth ?" she asked scornfully.
"Something, surely," said Durrance.
"It does not prevent Ethne from shrinking from her friend," cried Mrs.
Adair.

"She shrinks from you.

Shall I tell you why?
Because you are blind.

She is afraid.