She had crossed the room and was bending over the hearth to light the fire.She knew he was approaching her, and that in a moment he would have drawn the cloak from her shoulders and laid his lips on her neck, just below the gathered-up hair.These privileges were his and, however deferently and tenderly he claimed them, the joyous ease of his manner marked a difference and proclaimed a right.
"After the theatre they came home like this," she thought;and at the same instant she felt his hands on her shoulders and shrank back.
"Don't--oh, don't!" she cried, drawing her cloak about her.
She saw from his astonished stare that her face must be quivering with pain.
"Anna! What on earth is the matter?"
"Owen knows!" she broke out, with a confused desire to justify herself.
Darrow's countenance changed."Did he tell you so? What did he say?""Nothing! I knew it from the things he didn't say.""You had a talk with him this afternoon?""Yes: for a few minutes.I could see he didn't want me to stay."She had dropped into a chair, and sat there huddled, still holding her cloak about her shoulders.
Darrow did not dispute her assumption, and she noticed that he expressed no surprise.He sat down at a little distance from her, turning about in his fingers the cigar-case he had drawn out as they came in.At length he said: "Had he seen Miss Viner?"She shrank from the sound of the name."No...I don't think so...I'm sure he hadn't..."They remained silent, looking away from one another.Finally Darrow stood up and took a few steps across the room.He came back and paused before her, his eyes on her face.
"I think you ought to tell me what you mean to do."She raised her head and gave him back his look."Nothing Ido can help Owen!"
"No; but things can't go on like this." He paused, as if to measure his words."I fill you with aversion," he exclaimed.
She started up, half-sobbing."No--oh, no!""Poor child--you can't see your face!"
She lifted her hands as if to hide it, and turning away from him bowed her head upon the mantel-shelf.She felt that he was standing a little way behind her, but he made no attempt to touch her or come nearer.