eard himself speak as though the words had proceeded from other
lips. His explanation sounded plausible enough, and he half-fancied
Anna's look grew lighter. She waited a moment, as though to be sure he
had no more to add; then she said: "But the Farlows DID know; they told
me all about it when they sent her to me."

He flushed as if she had laid a deliberate trap for him. "They may know
NOW; they didn't then----"

"That's no reason for her continuing now to make a mystery of having met
you."

"It's the only reason I can give you."

"Then I'll go and ask her for one myself." She turned and took a few
steps toward the door.

"Anna!" He started to follow her, and then checked himself. "Don't do
that!"

"Why not?"

"It's not like you...not generous..."

She stood before him straight and pale, but under her rigid face he saw
the tumult of her doubt and misery.

"I don't want to be ungenerous; I don't want to pry into her secrets.
But things can't be left like this. Wouldn't it be better for me to go
to her? Surely she'll understand--she'll explain...It may be some mere
trifle she's concealing: something that would horrify the Farlows, but
that I shouldn't see any harm in..." She paused, her eyes searching his
face. "A love affair, I suppose...that's it? You met her with some man
at the theatre--and she was frightened and begged you to fib about
it? Those poor young things that have to go about among us like
machines--oh, if you knew how I pity them!"

"If you pity her, why not let her go?"

She stared. "Let her go--go for good, you mean? Is that the best you can
say for her?"

"Let things take their course. After all, it's between herself and
Owen."

"And you and me--and Effie, if Owen marries her, and I leave my child
with them! Don't you see the impossibility of what you're asking? We're
all bound together in this coil."

Darrow turned away with a groan. "Oh, let her go--let her go."

"Then there IS something--something really bad? She WAS with some one
when you met her? Some one with whom she was----" She broke off, and
he saw her struggling with new thoughts. "If it's THAT, of course...Oh,
don't you see," she desperately appealed to him, "that I must find out,
and that it's too late now for you not to speak? Don't be afraid that
I'll betray you...I'll never, never let a soul suspect. But I must know
the truth, and surely it's best for her that I should find it out from
you."

Darrow waited a momen