She felt herself surrounded

"I'd like awfully to lend you books," he said, buttoning his gloves,and rising from his seat. "We shall meet again. "I'm going to leaveyou now."He got up and left her. 　　Rachel looked round. She felt herself surrounded, like a child ata party, by the faces of strangers all hostile to her, with hookednoses and sneering, indifferent eyes. She was by a window,she pushed it open with a jerk. She stepped out into the garden. 　　Her eyes swam with tears of rage. 　　"Damn that man!" she exclaimed, having acquired some of Helen's words. 　　"Damn his insolence!"She stood in the middle of the pale square of light which thewindow she had opened threw upon the grass. The forms of greatblack trees rose massively in front of her. She stood still,looking at them, shivering slightly with anger and excitement. 　　She heard the trampling and swinging of the dancers behind her,and the rhythmic sway of the waltz music. 　　"There are trees," she said aloud. Would the trees make upfor St. John Hirst? She would be a Persian princess farfrom civilisation, riding her horse upon the mountains alone,and making her women sing to her in the evening, far from all this,from the strife and men and women--a form came out of the shadow;a little red light burnt high up in its blackness. 　　"Miss Vinrace, is it?" said Hewet, peering at her. "You weredancing with Hirst?""He's made me furious!" she cried vehemently. "No one's any rightto be insolent!""Insolent?" Hewet repeated, taking his cigar from his mouthin surprise. "Hirst--insolent?""It's insolent to--" said Rachel, and stopped. She did not knowexactly why she had been made so angry. With a great effort shepulled herself together. 　　"Oh, well," she added, the vision of Helen and her mockery before her,"I dare say I'm a fool." She made as though she were going backinto the ballroom, but Hewet stopped her. 　　"Please explain to me," he said. "I feel sure Hirst didn't meanto hurt you."When Rachel tried to explain, she found it very difficult.