"I realize that."
"But the question is, does Beatrix realize it, too," Sally said abruptly.
"Better than we can. I think she has measured both the danger and her own strength."
Bobby took a turn or two up and down the room. Then he came back to the hearthrug.
"She can't do it," he said conclusively. "The odds are all against her. Lorimer can't pull her down, of course; but he can tug and tug till he has used up all her strength and she has to let him go. And then what? Miss Gannion, do you honestly think it worth the while?"
"No; I do not," she said reluctantly.
"Then why the deuce do you argue for it?" he asked, with a recurrence of his former temper. "I beg your pardon, Miss Gannion; but this maddens me, and I came here to have you help me find a way out. Instead, you are in favor of Beatrix's signing her own death warrant."
"No," she said slowly. "Down in my heart of hearts, I think it is all a mistake, a terrible mistake; and I have tried in vain to find a way to prevent it. Then, each time I think it over, I am afraid to prevent it, because it seems to me that Beatrix's mistake is just a little bit nobler than the safe course which we ourselves would take."
"Have you heard Mr. Thayer say what he thinks about it?" Sally asked.
"Not lately."