Her voice had been growing hurried and faltering. She now broke off abruptly, and at the same moment, swiftly transferring the parasol from one shoulder to the other, interposed it between Anna and herself. It struck Anna for the first time that she was not her usual self. Could it be possible that she had been mistaken, that she had been drinking? The dreadful fear died at birth, however. She felt convinced that she had not. Something was wrong, though. Whatever else she was, she was never incoherent in speech. What had Mrs. Hennifer and Miss Marlowe to do with her except in the ordinary course of a call and small-talk?--but she was speaking again. 'Really, I don't think I can endure Prissy's flock mattress in this heat, and I am certain this bog smells,' she said, again turning and looking at Anna. 'I am certain it does. Bogs always do under quick evaporation.' 'You are very scientific, as dry as it will be if the heat lasts. Any one coming into this malarious sort of air might soon have a fever.' Anna's face was momentarily settling into sternness. 'You must sit in the house, Clothilde. Hartas will keep fever out by smoking bad tobacco, drinking gin, and eating onions.' 'I sit upstairs, Anna, and it has always been very cosy. But since I was here they have taken off the thatch and actually slated the roof, and slates attract the sun to a frightful degree.' 'In fact Old Lafer is so much more comfortable that you will return to it,' said Anna in a stifled voice. Mrs. Severn was not looking at her or she would have been warned of what was impending. As it was she smiled indulgently. 'Don't let us quarrel, Anna. You know I have only very limited means at my disposal for doing as I like. I always think you should all be thankful I come here instead of going to Wonston, which would cause so much more scandal.' She put her hand on her arm as she spoke, half confidingly, half as a help in walking, for she now turned to the cottage. But Anna shook it off as though she were stung, and started back, fixing on her a look of repugnant mistrust.