"
The girl made no attempt to answer. She stood clutching the edge of
the door for support, her lips tightly compressed, feeling as if her
heart would rise up and choke her. She realized instantly that the
crisis had arrived, that Winston's life probably hung upon her next
decision. Twice she endeavored bravely to speak, and when she finally
succeeded, the strange calmness other voice made her doubt her own
sanity.
"Thank you," she said gravely, "you have been most kind,--good-night,"
and vanished up the stairs.
Within the privacy of her own securely locked room Beth Norvell flung
herself upon the narrow bed, not to sleep, not even to rest, but in an
earnest effort to clarify her brain, to gain fresh conception of this
grim reality which fronted her. She realized now precisely what Ned
Winston stood for in her life--must ever stand for until the bitter
end. There was no upbraiding, no reviling. Not in the slightest
degree did she even attempt to deceive herself; with set, tearless
eyes, and without a sigh of regret, she simply faced the naked truth.
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