Suppose
Celia had gone to the kitchen! What would Celia think of her
attitude toward the son of Constance Berkley? She had never told
Celia that she had seen Berkley or that she even knew of his
whereabouts. What would Celia think!
In her sudden consternation she had walked straight to the closed
door. She hesitated an instant; then she opened the door. And
Berkley, seated as he had been seated that Christmas Eve, all alone
by the burning candle, dropped his hands from his face and looked
up. Then he rose and stood gazing at her.
She said, haughtily: "I suppose I am laying myself open to
misconstruction and insult again by coming here to speak to you."
"Did you come to speak to me, Ailsa?"
"Yes. Celia Craig is here--upstairs. I have never told her that
you have even been in this place. She does not know you are here
now. If she finds out----"
"I understand," he said wearily. "Celia shall not be informed of
my disgrace with you--unless you care to tell her."
"I do not care to tell her. Is there any reason to distress her
with--such matters?"
"No," he said. "What do you wish me to do? Go out somewhere--"
He glanced vaguely toward the darkness.
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