It was all just so much useless effort.

Henceforward they might think of her what they chose.
The remainder of the meal passed in a strained and uncomfortable manner.

Lady Gertrude and Isobel discussed various matters pertaining to the village Welfare Club, while Roger preserved an impenetrable silence, and though Nan made a valiant pretence at eating, lest Lady Gertrude's gimlet eyes should observe her lack of appetite and her thin, disdainful voice comment on the fact, she felt all the time as though the next mouthful must inevitably choke her.
The long, formal meal came to an end at last, and she rose from the table with a sigh of relief and accompanied the other two women out of the room, leaving Roger to smoke his pipe alone as usual.

An instant later, to her surprise, she heard his footstep and found that he had followed them into the hall and was standing on the threshold of the library.
"Come in here, Nan," he said briefly.
Somewhat reluctantly she followed him into the room.

He closed the door behind her, then swung round on his heel so that they stood fronting one another.
At the sight of his face she recoiled a step in sheer nervous astonishment.