“I consider that you ARE disgraced, Lily: disgraced by your conduct far more than by its results. You say your friends have persuaded you to play cards with them; well, they may as well learn a lesson too. They can probably afford to lose a little money — and at any rate, I am not going to waste any of mine in paying them. And now I must ask you to leave me — this scene has been extremely painful, and I have my own health to consider. Draw down the blinds, please; and tell Jennings I will see no one this afternoon but Grace Stepney.”
Lily went up to her own room and bolted the door. She was trembling with fear and anger — the rush of the furies’ wings was in her ears. She walked up and down the room with blind irregular steps. The last door of escape was closed — she felt herself shut in
