“Of course not. But it sounded better.”
“Ah, it’s dangerous work.”
“I should never have done it, if I had foreseen this.”
George knew that this represented Neaera’s extreme achievement in penitence, and did not press the question.
“What a wretch the woman is,” Neaera continued. “Oh, what is to be done? Gerald is sure to ask for an explanation.”
“Quite possible, I should think.”
“Well, then, I am lost.”
“You’d better tell him all about it.”
“I can’t; indeed I can’t. You won’t, will you? Oh, you will stand by me?”