She had kept her head
up, offering a calm front to the world. She had given no hint of
the terrible explosion--for an explosion it was. Constance was
astounded at her sister's self-control, which entirely passed her
comprehension. Constance felt that worries would never cease, but
would rather go on multiplying until death ended all. First, there
had been the frightful worry of the servant; then the extremely
distressing death and burial of Spot--and now it was Gerald Scales
turning up again! With what violence was the direction of their
thoughts now shifted! The wickedness of maids was a trifle; the
death of pets was a trifle. But the reappearance of Gerald Scales!
That involved the possibility of consequences which could not even
be named, so afflictive was the mere prospect to them. Constance
was speechless, and she saw that Sophia was also speechless.
Of course the event had been bound to happen. People do not vanish
never to be heard of again. The time surely arrives when the
secret is revealed. So Sophia said to herself--now!
She had always refused to consider the effect of Gerald's
reappearance. She had put the idea of it away from her, determined
to convince herself that she had done with him finally and for
ever.
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