And then Mary understood.  Her lips parted and she stared at the babbling creature incredulously, a sudden vivid picture in her mind, a canvas of unconscious Sibyl’s painting.  Mary beheld it with pity and horror:  she saw Sibyl clinging to Robert Lamhorn, raging, in a whisper, perhaps—­for Roscoe might have been in the house, or servants might have heard.  She saw Sibyl entreating, beseeching, threatening despairingly, and Lamhorn—­tired of her—­first evasive, then brutally letting her have the truth; and at last, infuriated, “swearing” to marry her rival.  If Sibyl had not babbled out the word “swore” it might have been less plain.

The poor woman blundered on, wholly unaware of what she had confessed.  “You see,” she said, more quietly, “whatever’s going to be done ought to be done right away.  I went over and told Mother Sheridan what I’d heard about Lamhorn—­oh, I was open and aboveboard!  I told her right before Edith.  I think it ought all to be done with perfect frankness, because nobody can say it isn’t for the girl’s own good and what her best friend would do.  But Mother Sheridan’s under Edith’s thumb, and she’s afraid to ever come right out with anything.  Father Sheridan’s different.  Edith can get anything she wants out of him in the way of money or ordinary indulgence, but when it comes to a matter like this he’d be a steel rock.  If it’s a question of his will against anybody else’s he’d make his will rule if it killed ’em both!  Now, he’d never in the world let Lamhorn come near the house again if he knew his reputation.  So, you see, somebody’s got to tell him.  It isn’t a very easy position for me, is it, Miss Vertrees?”

“No,” said Mary, gravely.

“Well, to be frank,” said Sibyl, smiling, “that’s why I’ve come to you.”

“To me!” Mary frowned.

Sibyl rippled and cooed again.  “There isn’t anybody ever made such a hit with Father Sheridan in his life as you have.  And of course we all hope you’re not going to be exactly an outsider in the affairs of the family!” (This sally with another and louder effect of laughter).  “And if it’s my duty, why, in a way, I think it might be thought yours, too.”

“No, no!” exclaimed Mary, sharply.

“Listen,” said Sibyl.  “Now suppose I go to Father Sheridan with this story, and Edith says it’s not true; suppose she says Lamhorn has a good reputation and that I’m repeating irresponsible gossip, or suppose (what’s most likely) she loses her temper and says I invented it, then what am I going to do?  Father Sheridan doesn’t know Mrs. Kittersby and her daughter, and they’re out of the question, anyway.  But suppose I could say:  ’All right, if you want proof, ask Miss Vertrees.  She came with me, and she’s waiting in the next room right now, to—­”

“No, no,” said Mary, quickly.  “You mustn’t—­”