‘The horrid cat,’ she said.

Sanchia began pouring out a torrent of confused words which Howard’s curt speech interrupted.  As he lifted his hat his eyes were for Helen alone:  she flashed him a scornful look and turned away from him.  Then he turned to Longstreet.

‘Mr. Longstreet,’ he said sharply, ’I want you to know my position in this matter.  As I was starting Mrs. Murray came to the ranch.  I was naturally astonished when she said that she was on her way to see you.  I had thought, from what has happened, that you would be the last man in the world whom she would care to meet.  She said, however, that she must speak with you and that she hoped she could do something to right matters.  When she asked for a fresh horse I loaned her one.  That,’ he concluded harshly, ’is all that I have to do with Sanchia Murray and all that I want to do with her.  The rest is up to you.’

The spite in Sanchia’s quick sidelong look was for Howard alone.

‘Alan is rather hard on me, I think,’ she said quite simply as she turned her eyes upon the three at the cabin door.  ‘Especially,’ and again she gave him that look for him alone, ’after what has been between us.  But I must not think of that now.  Oh, Mr. Longstreet, if you only knew how this thing has nearly killed me——­’

She broke off, hiding her face in her hands, her body swaying in the saddle as though surely she would fall.  Longstreet looked concerned.

‘Get down and come in,’ he exclaimed.  ’You are utterly exhausted.  Helen, my dear, a cup of coffee, quick.  This poor lady looks as though she hadn’t slept or rested or eaten since we saw her last.’

‘How could I eat or rest or sleep?’ cried Sanchia brokenly.  ’After all that has happened?  Oh, I wish I were dead!’

Helen did not budge for the coffee.  Her eyes were blazing.  Sanchia slid down from the saddle and came to the door.  Longstreet hastened to her side and the two went in together.  Helen, without looking toward Howard, followed, determined that she would hear whatever it was that Sanchia Murray had to say.

‘Come in, Howard,’ Longstreet remembered to say.  ’We’re having supper.  Both you and Mrs. Murray will eat with us.’

Sanchia bathed her eyes and they all sat down.  When Howard looked toward Helen she ignored him.  Outside Carr had demanded, ’What in hell’s name made you bring that woman here?’ and Alan had rejoined, ’I couldn’t stop her coming, could I?’ And now the two had nothing to say to each other.  Longstreet, nervous and impatient for whatever explanations were coming, fidgeted constantly until Sanchia began speaking.

‘When I learned what had happened,’ she said, ’I thought at first that I could not live to endure it.  I could have shrieked; I could have killed myself.  To think that I had been the cause of it all.  Oh, it was hideous!  But then I knew that I must live and that I must seek somehow to make reparation.  All of my life, as long as I live, I shall hope and try and work to undo what I have done.’