Do you doubt it still ?" Mrs.Crayford leaned back absently in her chair.

For the first time since the conversation had begun, she let a question pass without making a reply.

The truth is, Mrs.Crayford was thinking.
She saw Clara's position plainly; she understood the disturbing effect of it on the mind of a young girl.

Still, making all allowances, she felt quite at a loss, so far, to account for Clara's excessive agitation.

Her quick observing faculty had just detected that Clara's face showed no signs of relief, now that she had unburdened herself of her secret.