"For fear that you should tempt me from my duty?"
The man's expression changed, and there crept into his eyes a gleam of the passion that she knew he was capable of.
"My dear," he said, "I seem to know that I could make you break faith with that man. You belong to me. For three years you have been everywhere with me, but we will let that go. I must go away, and Gregory will have a clear field, but the probability is in favour of me coming back again, and then, if he has failed to make the most of it, I'll enforce my claim."
He turned and seized one of her hands, holding it strongly against her will.
"That is my last word. At least, you will let me think that when I go up yonder into the mists and snow I shall take your good wishes for my success away with me."
She lifted her face, which was flushed, and once more looked him steadily in the eyes.
"They are yours, most fervently," she said. "It would be intolerable that you should fail."
He smiled very gravely, and let her hand fall. "After all," he said, "one can only do what one can."
Then he went out without another glance at her, and not long afterwards Mrs. Hastings, who was endued with a reasonable measure of curiosity, found occasion to enter the room.
"You have said something to trouble Harry?" she began.