Page:The traitor; a story of the fall of the invisible empire (IA traitorstoryoffa00dixo).pdf/325

 "Is it possible!"

"Why, what's the matter?" Stella asked. "Won't you sit down?"

"I prefer to stand, thank you, and to come straight to the point," Susie answered with quiet a emphasis. "May I ask you some questions?"

Stella flushed and her first impulse was to show her questioner to the door, but she felt the dangerous menace in Susie's tone and knew that she had suspected at least part of the truth. It was necessary to fence.

"Why, as many as you like," she replied with a light laugh.

"You have told John Graham that you love him?"

"Your question is an impertinence. It's none of your business."

"I have made it my business."

"Then the sooner you recover your self-respect the better," Stella sneered.

"What do you mean?" Susie's gray eyes danced with anger.

"That you are desperately and hopelessly in love with John Graham yourself, and that you haven't pride and character enough to hold up your head before his indifference, and his patronising contempt. I have won him, and you come with cheap insults for the woman he loves."