He did not answer for a moment. Then he laid his hand on hers, and clasped it. "Look here, I've undertaken something, and come what may I must carry it through," he said. "When I took it on I didn't bargain for you, but I can't let you make any difference. Only I wish to God you'd clear out of the Priory!"
She withdrew her hand. "Then I am right in thinking that all along you've wanted to get us out of the house?"
"Yes, I have wanted to."
"Why?" she said directly.
"I've told you. It's not safe, and I can't be answerable for what may happen."
"It is not by any chance because our presence interferes with what you are doing?"
"It does interfere, but that is not why I'm so anxious you should go. Miss Fortescue, I don't think there's much I wouldn't do for you, but if you persist in remaining at the Priory I can't guarantee your safety. Do you understand? You'll be running a risk of — danger, and I can't stop it, and I might not be able to help you. And God knows if anything were to happen to you…' He broke off.
She found herself saying: "Well?"
He looked quickly towards her. "I think you must know what I - what I feel about you," he said.
Her eyes fell. "I only know that you don't trust me, though you expect me to trust you," she answered, almost inaudibly.