"I knew what she wanted to say to me: that's why I was determined to get her off. I knew I shouldn't like it, but I was perfectly prepared," said Owen. "She brought it out as soon as we got round the corner; she asked me point-blank if I was in love with you." Fleda, meanwhile, had had time to make her reflections, which were moreover the continued throb of those that had occupied the interval between Owen's departure and his mother's return. If she should now repeat his words, this wouldn't at all play the game of her definite vow; it would only play the game of her little gagged and blinded desire. She could calculate well enough the effect of telling Mrs. Gereth how she had had it from Owen's troubled lips that Mona was only waiting for the restitution and would do nothing without it. The thing was to obtain the restitution without imparting that knowledge. The only way, also, not to impart it was not to tell any truth at all about it; and the only way to meet this last condition was to reply to her companion, as she presently did: "He told me nothing whatever: he didn't touch on the subject."!

Fleda was silent a little. "All that didn't answer her question." At this, opening her eyes, Mrs. Gereth sprang straight up. "Get him away from her!"

Fleda wondered; with her free imagination she could wonder even while her cheek stung from a slap. "To the Registrar?" "Oh dear, yes!" Owen repeated. Owen gave her a gloomy glance; then he blew a speck off the crown of his hat. "But if you do have a set-to with her?"