Alpha Book

"Do you suppose," he said heavily, "that _she_ was not entirely
responsible when--when she went away?"
"I have wondered," said Nina simply. "Austin believes it."
"But--but--how in God's name could that be possible? She was so
brilliant--so witty, so charmingly and capriciously normal--"
"Her father was brilliant and popular--when he was young. Austin knew
him, Phil. I have often, often wondered whether Alixe realises what she
is about. Her restless impulses, her intervals of curious resentment--so
many things which I remember and which, now, I cannot believe were
entirely normal. . . . It is a dreadful surmise to make about anybody so
youthful, so pretty, so lovable--and yet, it is the kindest way to
account for her strange treatment of you--"
"I can't believe it," he said, staring at vacancy. "I refuse to." And,
thinking of her last frightened and excited letter imploring an
interview with him and giving the startling reason: "What a scoundrel
that fellow Ruthven is," he said with a shudder.


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