The whole plan was cut and dried. Jane had given no consent; that did not matter. She would consent; he felt the power in himself to make her consent.
Men of his stamp, lazy, neurotic, yet strong-willed, stung into action by love or hate, sometimes assume momentary but terrible command over events; they infect with their passion, infuriate with their hate, or paralyze with their love.
He entered the house, ordered breakfast, and enquired for Campanula.
She had gone down at dawn, said Pine-breeze, to see O Toku San, the poor girl who was so ill, and was now dying. He was glad Campanula was out, and determined if possible to get his preparations over before her return. Jane and he would return from Mr. Kamamura’s about six that evening. It would be time enough then to tell Campanula of his journey.
As he breakfasted, he completed that part of his plans which had reference to Campanula.
She would be safe and well looked after by M’Gourley, till—he came back. He told himself he would come back some day; perhaps in six months or so he would come back.
And why should he worry about leaving Campanula for a time? He had often gone away before, once as far as London; he had always come back.
Why should Campanula mind his going away again?
Why, indeed!
He tried to forget how her little hand had stolen into his on the evening before as if for protection. How, when he had kissed her, she had suddenly flung aside her timid reserve, and with her arms around his neck, but without a word, had told him what only a woman can tell without speech.