"Just this once!" she pleaded anxiously. "Because it means a great deal to me."
"Well?" said Tudor.
"It is only—" she paused a moment, breathing quickly—"only that you will not—whatever the circumstances—let Piers be sent for."
"I can't promise that," said Tudor at once.
She clasped her hands beseechingly. "You must—please—you must!"
He shook his head. "I can't. I will undertake that he shall not come to you against your will. I can't do more than that."
"Do you suppose you could keep him out?" Avery said, a note of quivering bitterness in her voice.
"I am quite sure I can," Tudor answered steadily. "Don't trouble yourself on that head! I swear that, unless you ask for him, he shall not come to you."
She shivered again and dropped back in her chair. "I shall never do that—never—never—so long as I am myself!"
"Your wishes—whatever they are—shall be obeyed," Tudor promised gravely.