"That is all the more reason why you should go at once," was the feminine argument with which she replied.
"Let us go back to two days ago, and be as we were before. Will you not forget it?"
"We cannot—you cannot, and I cannot. You are not able to take back your words or to deny them."
"May God forbid!" said he very earnestly. "But if you will let me be your friend, I will promise to obey you, and I will not say anything that will displease you."
"You cannot," she repeated; and she smiled bitterly.
"But I can, and I will, if you will let me. I am very strong, and I will keep my word;" and indeed he looked the incarnation of strength as he sat with folded hands and earnest face, awaiting her reply. His words were not eloquent, but they were plain and true, and he meant them. Something in the suppressed power of his tone drove away the smile from Margaret's face, and she looked toward him.
"Could you?" she asked. But the door opened, and Lady Victoria entered with her book.
"Oh!" said Lady Victoria.
"I must go and dress," said Claudius.
"We will go on with the book to-morrow," said the Countess. And he bore away a light heart.