Alpha Book

"And now," she said calmly, "you know where I stand and what I will not
stand. Natural deference to an older woman, the natural self-distrust of
a girl in the presence of social experience--and under its protection as
she had a right to suppose--prevented me from checking you when your
conversation became distasteful. You, perhaps, mistook my reticence for
acquiescence; and you were mistaken. I am still quite willing to remain
on agreeable terms with you, if you wish, and to forget what you have
done to me this morning."
If Rosamund had anything left to say, or any breath to say it, there
were no indications of it. Never in her flippant existence had she been
so absolutely flattened by any woman. As for this recent graduate from
fudge and olives, she could scarcely realise how utterly and finally she
had been silenced by her. Incredulity, exasperation, amazement had
succeeded each other while Miss Erroll was speaking; chagrin, shame,
helplessness followed as bitter residue.


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