“She suggested you might be influenced by material reasons.”
“I? How do you mean?”
“That if any man succeeded in getting you your rights, you would look upon him with very different eyes.”
Her face changed on the instant from amused astonishment to thoughtful and intense earnestness.
“You speak of what you do not know, monsieur, and will not hear. There is nothing that could be demanded of me, no sacrifice however complete or ruinous, no danger however deadly, I would not face for that. That is my real life—all else is a mere setting and pretence.”
“Can I speak to you now—without interruption?”
“Would you prefer to be here or in the house?”
“It is all one to me if you will listen seriously.”
“Then let us speak here; it is my favourite walk.” And we turned into the broad path circling a fountain and surrounded by flower beds abundantly filled and carefully tended. “Now, monsieur.”
“In the night I thought over all the strange situation, and this morning came to a decision.”