"Pardon me Jane, for resorting to this awkward device! I could bear the suspense no longer."
He held closely the beautiful, cold hand which as before lay unresisting in his, but did not return its pressure.
"You should have chosen some less transparent device, Henry! Mr. Atkins would, sooner or later, have found an excuse for leaving us alone. It would of necessity have occurred to my aunt that we would prefer to speak of home matters by ourselves."
This cool reply somewhat restrained Alison's ardor. "You seem very much to fear lest Doctor Stephen may gain some knowledge of our mutual relations."
"I certainly hope that he will not."
"And still it cannot be avoided."
"I believe that remains alone with us, and so much the more so as your stay in B. is to be limited to a few days."
"Certainly! It does not appear that I have especial reasons for lengthening my visit."
Jane felt the thrust, and thought best to waive a subject that threatened to be dangerous.
"You will go to Paris? They are speaking of a possible war with France."