"You are a young girl starting out on life. You have every right to it, Cynthia."
"I mean that it cannot change me," she said. "I would like to hear it--yes. But it is only that I may understand and be ready. And if you think that reason insufficient, don't tell me. I shall thank you, all the same, for offering to tell me."
"You mustn't take the warning literally," he said. "I am of the East, you know. So is my story"; and a sudden relief swept over Cynthia. He was not of her people, his stand-point would not be hers, his warning might not apply to her. She thought of Sir James Burrell's words. Discouragement sat more lightly upon her than it had done during the last hour. There were certain curious phases in Mr. Benoliel's life which were not understood--sudden disappearances, for instance, during which no one met him to bring back to London the place of his abode. He was recognized as a man apart. Yes, he was of the Orient, and he might have no message for her ears.
"It was my race which caught me back," Benoliel began, and Cynthia's courage increased. But his story was only just begun.
CHAPTER XXII
[AND AN INSTANCE TO ENFORCE IT]
"You knew, I suppose, that I was married?"
"Yes," said Cynthia.
"And that my wife lives?"
"Yes."