George—I did not know any woman living could be as bad as that."
"You remember the day of the garden party at The Towers, when she took us into her rose garden?"
"Yes."
"She hurried me away with her, leaving you and Vasher there alone, and when we got back to the lawn she got rid of me cavalierly enough, and I lost sight of her. I should have liked to go back and fetch you, but I was not sure that you would not consider it an interference, so I walked up and down in the outer garden leading to where you were, the two being divided by a thick clump of trees. Any one inside these trees could see what was going on in the rose garden, but not from where I was, and as I strolled past I saw a bit of pale yellow silk, about the size of a shilling, shining through the thick leaves, and it told me that Madam Silvia was hidden inside, watching you."
"And you really believe that she means me evil?"
"I am sure of it."
"But what harm can she do me?" I ask, persistently. "I don't see how she can do any more."
"Shall I tell you?" asks George, hesitating.
"Yes."
"She would lead you and her husband into evil, she would shame you to the dust: she could half forgive you for being the girl Paul Vasher has loved so long and faithfully, if she could degrade you in his eyes and your own. . . ."
"And this is the woman I forgave!" I say, below my breath; "this is the mother of my little angel Wattie! You were right, George, to say I was like a man who has been asleep in the snow . . . I have been asleep, but I am broad awake now. When do the Vashers go away?"
"The middle of July."
