There was no answer. For a moment Kathleen stood looking down at the
girl in silence; then a sudden shivering seized her; she strove to
control it, but her knees seemed to give way under it and she dropped
down beside the bed, throwing both arms around Geraldine's neck.

[Illustration: "Oh, the horror of it!--the shame, the agonised
surprise."]

"Oh, don't, _don't_!" she whimpered. "It is too terrible! It ruined
your father and your grandfather! Darling, I couldn't bear to tell you
this before, but now I've got to tell you! It is in your blood.
Seagraves die of it! Do you understand?"

"W-what?" stammered the girl.

"That all their lives they did what--what you have done to-day--that you
have inherited their terrible inclinations. Even as a little child you
frightened me. Have you forgotten what you and I talked over and cried
over after your first party?"

The girl said slowly: "I don't know how--it--happened, Kathleen. Duane
came in.... I tasted what he had in his glass.... I don't know why I did
it. I wish I were dead!"

"There is only one thing to do--never to touch anything--anything----"

"Y-yes, I know that I must not. But how was I to know before? Will you
tell me?"

"You understand _now_, thank God!"