‘I confess I was’—stiffly.
‘You are displeased?’
‘On the contrary, you know I always advised you to show yourself—to defy your enemies. You can defy them, you know.’
‘Yes; but—I mean that, after all I said to you about my dislike, my fear, of leaving the Cottage, you must think it queer of me to be here to-day.’
‘I do not, indeed. I think it only natural that you should break through such a melancholy determination. Besides, no doubt’—with increasing coldness—‘you had an inducement.’
‘Yes, yes; I had,’ says she quickly.
‘Ah!’ A pause. ‘Someone you have seen lately?’
‘Quite lately.’
Second pause, and prolonged.
‘I suppose you will soon see a way out of all your difficulties?’