fit of tears, and in this condition she got out of the carriage,
entered her house, and hurried up to her own room.

'Indeed, she has not been to blame,' said Nora to Trevelyan on the
staircase.

'Why has there been a secret kept from me between her and this man;
and that too, after I had cautioned her against being intimate with
him? I am sorry that she should suffer; but it is better that she
should suffer a little now, than that we should both suffer much
by-and-by.'

Nora endeavoured to explain to him the truth about the committee,
and Colonel Osborne's promised influence, and the reason why there
was to be a secret. But she was too much in a hurry to get to her
sister to make the matter plain, and he was too much angered to
listen to her. He shook his head when she spoke of Colonel Osborne's
dislike to have his name mentioned in connection with the matter.
'All the world knows it,' he said with scornful laughter.

It was in vain that Nora tried to explain to him that though
all the world might know it, Emily herself had only heard of the
proposition as a thing quite unsettled, as to which nothing at
present should be spoken openly. It was in vain to endeavour to
make peace on that night. Nora hurried up to her sister, and found
that the hysterical tears had again given place to anger. She would
not see her husband, unless he would beg her pardon; and he would
not see her unless she would give the promise he demanded. And the
husband and wife did not see each other again on that night.