Shame tingled through all her blood; she sat with her lips set, keeping Willoughby under watch from the corners of her eyes, and waiting to pounce savagely the moment he opened his lips.

There had been noticeable throughout his narrative a manner of condescension towards Feversham.

"Let him use it again!" thought Ethne.

But Captain Willoughby said nothing at all, and Ethne herself broke the silence.

"Who of you three first thought of sending the feathers ?" she asked aggressively.