"Mr.
Vanstone's daughters are Nobody's Children; and the law leaves them helpless at their uncle's mercy." So, without a tear on her cheeks, without a faltering tone in her voice, she repeated the lawyer's own words, exactly as he had spoken them.

Miss Garth staggered back a step and caught at the bench to support herself.
Her head swam; she closed her eyes in a momentary faintness.

When they opened again, Magdalen's arm was supporting her, Magdalen's breath fanned her cheek, Magdalen's cold lips kissed her.

She drew back from the kiss; the touch of the girl's lips thrilled her with terror.
As soon as she could speak she put the inevitable question.

"You heard us," she said.