"Need you ask that?" Miriam returned, averting her eyes, and walking slowly on.
"You have to thank me for it, Miriam, in part."
She looked at him in surprise.
"It's true. It was I who first led him to think about you, and interested him in you. We were going from Pompeii to Sorrento—how many years ago? thirty, forty?—and I talked about you a great deal. I told him that I felt convinced you could be saved, if only some strong man would take you by the hand. It led him to think about you; I am sure of it."
Miriam had no reply to make. They walked on.
"I didn't come to the house," he resumed presently, "because I thought it possible that the door might be shut in my face. Mallard would have wished to do so."
"He wouldn't have welcomed you; but you were free to come in if you wished."
"Have you thought it likely I might come some day?"
"I expected, sooner or later, to hear from you."
He had a cane, and kept slashing with it at the green growths by his feet. When he missed his aim at any particular object, he stopped and struck again, more fiercely.