30/56 As soon as I reached home, I found that my brother had invited Mr.Mutimer for to-day. I thought it would be best if I came and told you that--that we were not quite alone, as I said we should be.' As she spoke Adela became distressed by perceiving, or seeming to perceive, that the cause which had led her to this step was quite inadequate. Of course it was the result of her having to forbear mention of the real point at issue; she could not say that she feared it might be disagreeable to her hearer to meet Mutimer. But, put in the other way, her pretext for coming appeared trivial. Only with an extreme effort she preserved her even tone to the end of her speech. |