"Mrs.Merston told you all about it, did she ?" Sylvia's colour rose again.

She turned slightly from him.

"She didn't say much," she said.
There was a pause.

Then unexpectedly Burke's hand closed over her two clasped ones.

"So I've got to be punished, have I ?" he said.
She shook her head, shrinking a little though she suffered his touch.