business to offer an explanation of what she justly says
doesn't need one. If she declines to speak, it's obviously
on the ground that Owen's insinuations are absurd; and that
surely pledges me to silence."

"Yes, yes! I see," Anna repeated. "But I don't want you to
explain anything to Owen."

"You haven't yet told me what you do want."

She hesitated, conscious of the difficulty of justifying her
request; then: "I want you to speak to Sophy," she said.

Darrow broke into an incredulous laugh. "Considering what
my previous attempts have resulted in----!"

She raised her eyes quickly. "They haven't, at least,
resulted in your liking her less, in your thinking less well
of her than you've told me?"

She fancied he frowned a little. "I wonder why you go back
to that?"

"I want to be sure--I owe it to Owen. Won't you tell me the
exact impression she's produced on you?"

"I have told you--I like Miss Viner."

"Do you still believe she's in love with Owen?"