It was a most unpleasant second.  In my excitement at listening to Sonia’s revelations, I had clean forgotten for the time that Joyce was coming, and now it was too late for the recollection to be of much practical use.  Except for an earthquake, or the sudden arrival of the end of the world, nothing could stop her from reaching the hut in another five minutes.

I stood quite still, racking my brains as to what was the best thing to do.  It was no use trying to signal to her from the window, for Sonia would be certain to see me; while if I made some excuse for going outside, Joyce would probably call out to me before I had time to warn her.  My only hope seemed to lie in the chance of her hearing us talking as she came up to the door, in which case she would know at once that there was some one there and go straight on to the Betty.

I had just reached this conclusion when a queer sound behind me made me spin round as if I had been struck.  Sonia, who had risen to her feet, was standing and facing me; her whole attitude suggestive of a highly-annoyed tigress.  I don’t think I have ever seen such a malevolent expression on any human being’s face in my life.  For an instance we stood staring at each other without speaking, and then quite suddenly I realized what was the matter.

Clutched tight in her right hand was a letter—­a letter which I recognized immediately as the one I had received from Joyce that morning.  Like a fool I must have left it lying on the desk, and while I was looking out of the window she had evidently picked it up and read it.

I hadn’t much time, however, for self-reproaches.

“So, you have been lying to me all through,” she broke out bitterly.  “This girl is your mistress; and all the time you have simply been using me to help yourself.  Oh, I see it all now.  I see why you were so anxious to come to London.  While I have been working and scheming for you, you and she ...”  Her voice failed from very fury, and tearing the letter in pieces, she flung them on the ground at my feet.

I suppose I attempted some sort of reply, for she broke out again more savagely than ever.

“She is your mistress!  Do you dare to deny it, with that letter staring me in the face?  Coming down to ’kiss you and be kissed by you,’ is she?  Well, she’s used to that, at all events!” Her voice choked again, and with her hands clenched she made a quick step forward in my direction.

Then quite suddenly I saw her whole expression change.  The anger in her eyes gave place to a gleam of recognition, and the next moment her lips parted in a peculiarly malicious smile.  She was looking past me through the open window.

“Ah!” she said.  “So that’s why you were standing there!  You didn’t expect me to be here when she arrived, did you?” With a mocking laugh she turned to the doorway.  “Never mind,” she added viciously:  “you will be able to introduce us.”