“But to do that——”
He fell silent. He was thinking of Anna. For the first time he was conscious of his aloneness with this woman.
Not wishing to wound her, he procrastinated.
“To do that might only add to our complications.”
“It might.” Her gray eyes struggled to meet his gaze. “It isn't likely. He won't believe you.”
“Then what would be gained?”
“You'd have told him, without insult, that he wasn't wanted.”
He glanced out of the window at the rushing landscape. At last he spoke. “If there's no other way——”
She rested her thin, fine hand on his gently. “You're generous. If the day ever comes when you despise yourself as I despise myself to-day, remember that once you were able to make a wicked woman believe in goodness—to make her long with all her heart to be like you.” Her eyes became misty. “At this moment I'm not far from redemption.”
Lunch was announced. He gave orders to have it served in his compartment. While they ate, he outlined to her his plans. He had asked her how long she expected to be with him.