"I am not sure that he will," he answered, "but I hope so; and what I mean is that I think it may be possible to send him abroad."
She withdrew her hand from his knee.
"He won't go," she said; "I am sure of it."
He went on to explain himself, still not looking at her.
"He is wasting his abilities," he said; "he is wasting his youth; the position he is in is absurdly insignificant; it occurred to me that if I used, with right effect, the little influence I possess, there might finally be obtained for him some position abroad, which would be at least something better, and might possibly open a way for him in the future. I spoke to the Secretary of State about it, and he was very kind, and appeared interested. It seems very possible, even probable, that my hopes will be realized."
For a few seconds she sat still; then she said, abstractedly:
"It would be very strange to be obliged to live our lives without Laurence; they would not be the same lives at all. Still, I suppose it would be best for him; but it would be hard to live without Laurence. I don't like to think of it."
In spite of his intention not to do so, he found himself turning to look at her. There had been surprise in her voice, and now there was sadness, but there was no agitation, no uncontrollable emotion.
"Can it be," he thought, "that she is getting over it? What does it mean?"
She turned and met his eyes.