‘You take a pleasure in repeating such things; it shows how little you feel them.’
‘It shows how I have taken to heart the truth of them.’
She waved her hand impatiently, again sighed, and moved towards the door.
‘Don’t go just yet,’ said Sidney. ‘We have more to say to each other.’
‘I have nothing more to say. I am miserable, and you can’t help me.’
‘I can, Clara.’
She looked at him with wondering, estranged eyes. ‘How? What are you going to do?’
‘Only speak to you, that’s all. I have nothing to give but words. But—’
She would have left him. Sidney stepped forward and prevented her.
‘No; you must hear what I have got to say. They may be only words, but if I have no power to move you with my words, then our life has come to utter ruin, and I don’t know what dreadful things lie before us.’