Chapter ThirtyCosmo Frith shut the door behind him and walked over to the hearth. He stood there, picking up the old-fashioned gilt clock which had belonged to Rachel’s mother and fiddling with the key. He looked troubled and serious. Rachel’s heart sank.
‘Cosmo, what is it? Don’t keep me.’
He said, ‘No, I won’t—I won’t—’ But he got no further than that until she made an impatient movement. Then he put down the clock and said, ‘Don’t, my dear. It’s because it’s so difficult to say.’
‘Difficult or easy, I think you must say it, Cosmo.’
He drew a heavy breath that was like a sigh.
‘Yes, I know—but one puts off—you will probably be angry—’
‘Does that matter?’
He nodded.
‘A good deal—to me.’
A bright exasperated colour was in Rachel’s cheeks.
‘Oh, say it and have done!’ she cried.
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