"I did detest her. I shall probably detest her again. Leopards don"t change their spots, do they? But I shan"t--fear her any more!"
Something in her tone arrested Meadows"s attention.
"What do you mean?"
"Oh, what I say!" cried Doris, drawing herself a little from him, with a hand on his shoulder. "I shall never fear her, or anyone, any more.
I"m safe! Why did I do it? Do you really want to know? I did it--because--I was so sorry for her--poor silly woman,--who can"t get on with her own son! Arthur!--if our son doesn"t love me better than hers loves her--you may kill me, dear, and welcome!"
"Doris! There is something in your voice--! What are you hiding from me?"
But as to the rest of that conversation under the moon, let those imagine it who may have followed this story with sympathy.
THE END