An atmosphere of stress and passion hung about her like a garment . `` Why are n't you in bed , Rosemary ? '' demanded Ellen . `` Come in here , '' said Rosemary intensely . `` I want to tell you something . '' Ellen composedly removed her wraps and overshoes , and followed her sister into the warm , fire-lighted room . She stood with her hand on the table and waited . She was looking very handsome herself , in her own grim , black-browed style . The new black velvet dress , with its train and V-neck , which she had made purposely for the party , became her stately , massive figure . She wore coiled around her neck the rich heavy necklace of amber beads which was a family heirloom . Her walk in the frosty air had stung her cheeks into a glowing scarlet . But her steel-blue eyes were as icy and unyielding as the sky of the winter night . She stood waiting in a silence which Rosemary could break only by a convulsive effort . `` Ellen , Mr. Meredith was here this evening . '' `` Yes ? '' `` And -- and -- he asked me to marry him . '' `` So I expected . Of course , you refused him ? '' `` No . '' `` Rosemary . ''
XXXXX clenched her hands and took an involuntary step forward .
Ellen Meredith Rosemary V-neck bed course heirloom night sister winter