"Oh, but it's nonsense, it's rank madness, it's—it's inconceivable!" Blake broke out.
"I do now so pledge myself," said Grantley.
Sibylla nodded; she understood. She leant back in her chair now, regarding her husband thoughtfully.
Grantley's pale face was set in a fixed smile; he met her gaze steadily.
"It's madness—you'll be stopped!" Blake burst out. "I can't believe you mean it. Anyhow, you'll be stopped."
"By you? Will you send for a policeman? or will you come to my house and stop me? Nothing can stop me unless you kill me. Is that your choice?"
He spoke to Blake, but he looked still at Sibylla. Blake came near and scrutinised the pale face with eyes whose expression grew from wonder and incredulity into a horrified apprehension. The silence now seemed long.
"Yes," said Sibylla at last, "it's like you. That's what you'd do. I never thought of it; but I'm not surprised. It's you. It's just that in you which has made my life an impossible thing. You sacrificed me to it. You would sacrifice yourself and your son. Yes, it's you."
She put her hands up before her face for a moment, pressing her fingers on her eyelids. Then her eyes sought his face again.
"But, Sibylla——" cried Blake.