She picked it up eagerly and the flame flickered up into her cheeks as she laid it down again, unopened, in her lap.

Janet smiled across at her, but said nothing.

When breakfast was over, she let Sally go away by herself up to her bedroom, while she remained behind and talked to Mrs.Hewson.Ten minutes, she gave her; then she mounted the stairs as well.

She did not knock.

She walked straight into the bedroom and there she found Sally, seated near the window, the tears coursing down her cheeks, while she held out her wrist and stared at a woven gold bangle that bore on it her name in diamond letters.