"It depends upon when and where he means the marriage to take place," I answered, speaking out of my thoughts rather than in reply to her words.
"You agree that I should do it?" she asked almost piteously.
We were standing at the moment opposite a large mirror, and as I looked by chance at our reflections a thought struck me. I turned to her with a smile. "I think, perhaps, you will have to agree to his terms."
"You smile at this?" she cried, not without a touch of indignation.
"God forbid that I should smile at anything threatening your whole life as this would do. I must think; but if you can bring yourself to consent, you must make your own conditions as to the time and place of the marriage."
"And this is all you have to say?"
"No. The marriage will not take place, because he dare do nothing against my will. Don't lose heart for an instant."
"Tell me. You must see what it means to me, this suspense. You are in such danger--and Bessie."
"We were never safer. That I assure you. But trust me and have patience."
"You know I trust you"; and she laid her hand on my arm.