She looked at him steadily, and he returned her gaze, but for a long time he could not answer. She had him at a terrible advantage.
"I shall not deny it publicly," he said at last. "That would be an injury to your daughter."
"Shall you deny it at all?" She was conscious of her strong position, and meant to hold it.
"I shall write to the lady who is living under my name, and I shall tell her the circumstances, and that I am obliged to allow the announcement to be made by you."
"Give me your word that you will not deny your engagement to any one else. You know that I have a right to require that. My daughter knows that you are married."
Malipieri hesitated only a moment.
"I give you my word," he said.
She rose at once and went towards one of the doors, without looking at him. He wondered whether she meant to dismiss him rudely, and stood looking after her. She stopped a moment, with her hand on the knob of the lock, and glanced back.
"I will call Sabina," she said, and she was gone.
He stood still and waited, and two or three minutes passed before Sabina entered. She glanced at him, smiled rather gravely, and looked round the room as she came forward, as if expecting to see some one else.