‘But you didn’t think me capable of—of anything extraordinary?’ Even in her torment, Nancy marvelled at this revelation of fatuity. She did not understand the pranks of such a mind as Barmby’s when its balance is disturbed by exciting circumstance.
‘What are you offering me?’ she asked, in a low voice. ‘How could I take money from you?’
‘I didn’t mean that you should. Your secret has been betrayed to me. Suppose I refuse to know anything about it, and leave things as they were?’
Nancy kept her eyes down.
‘Suppose I say: Duty bids me injure this woman who has injured me; but no, I will not! Suppose I say: I can make her regret bitterly that she married that other man; but no, I will not! Suppose, instead of making your secret known, I do my utmost to guard it! What would be your opinion of this behaviour?’
‘I should think it was kindly meant, but useless.’
‘Useless? Why?’
‘Because it isn’t in your power to guard the secret. Jessica Morgan won’t leave her work half done.’
‘If that’s all, I say again that you can put your mind at rest. I answer for Miss. Morgan. With her my will is law.’
Samuel smiled. A smile ineffable. The smile of a suburban deity.