‘Do you measure the responsibility you would incur? I fear not, if you have spoken sincerely. Your experience has not been of a kind to aid you in understanding her, and, I warn you, to make her subject to your caprices would be little short of a crime, whether now—heed me—or hereafter.’
‘Perhaps it is too late,’ murmured Hubert.
‘That may well be, in more senses than one.’
‘Can you not discover whether she is really engaged?’
‘If that were the case, I think I should have heard of it.’
‘If I were allowed to see her! So much at least should be granted me. I should not poison the air she breathes.’
‘Do you return to Agworth to-night?’ Mr. Wyvern inquired.
‘Yes, I shall walk back.’
‘Can you come to me again to-morrow evening?’
It was agreed that Hubert should do so. Mr. Wyvern gave no definite promise of aid, but the young man felt that he would do something.