But her nerves fluttered at once when he said: "I want to speak to you, Cis.

You know that Stephen and I had a talk yesterday, I suppose ?" Cecilia nodded.
"I have spoken to B.!" "Oh!" Cecilia murmured.

She longed to ask what Bianca had said, but did not dare, for Hilary had his armour on, the retired, ironical look he always wore when any subject was broached for which he was too sensitive.
She waited.
"The whole thing is distasteful to me," he said; "but I must do something for this child.

I can't leave her completely in the lurch." Cecilia had an inspiration.
"Hilary," she said softly, "Mrs.Tallents Smallpeace is in the drawing-room.

She was just speaking of the girl to Stephen.