And then there was no sound but the steady beat of the rain upon
sidewalk and roofs ...

Upstairs, just a floor and a ceiling away, Mrs. Heth, craning her neck
for the last time, perceived that Cally had decided not to come to the
meeting; also that it was just as well, viewing the inclement weather.
Downstairs, almost directly beneath her, Cally stood front to front with
the family enemy, her face quite white.

"Of course you understand," the enemy was saying, hurriedly and yet
firmly too, "he gave me the money expecting it to be used for the public
good. I've considered that I merely had it in trust, as a fund for--for
these purposes, as I've explained. And this--well, you may easily
imagine that it was the most perfect form of self-indulgence.... I've
gotten so fond of this old place ... But I can't imagine how we came to
be talking of it, and I beg that you'll forget the whole matter. I--my
uncle would have been very much annoyed to--to have it known or talked
about...."

Not in that singular experience in the Cooney parlor, not even in the
memorable New Year's moment in her own library, had Carlisle been swept
with such a desire to dissociate herself from her own person, to sneak
away from herself, to drop through the floor. Nevertheless, some dignity
in her, standing fast, struck out for salvage; and out of the uprush of
humiliating sensation, she heard her voice, colorless and flat:

"I'm sorry I said that. You make me ... quite ashamed...."

The flush deepened abruptly on the tall doctor's cheek.