She made no reply, and then Canning, goaded on by his sense of strange impotence, spoke the depths of his secret resentment:
"Really, I should have thought that the views of your future husband would have more weight with you than those of a casual medical missionary, known to be irresponsible and untrustworthy."
Cally gave him a look full of young reproach, rose with nervous purposelessness, and went over to the empty hearthside. Much nearer now peeped that startling shape. She leaned upon the mantel and tried to think: of her duty to Hugo, of how natural it was that he shouldn't understand, of how all this had begun. But unhappily the tone of his last remark seemed to have set other chords quivering within her, and all that she seemed able to think of was that it was cruelly unjust for him to misjudge her so. He had promised to stand by her no matter what happened, and besides Dr. Vivian wasn't irresponsible and untrustworthy. The wild thought knocked that Hugo, now that he knew the truth about her, had ceased to love her....
"Carlisle," said Canning, with more restraint, "isn't it reasonable for me to think that?"
Her reply showed some signs of agitation: "Why, Hugo--of course ... You must know your views have all the weight in the world with me. His have none ..."
He came up to her on the hearthstone, raised her hand, and kissed the little pink palm.
"Never mind--I'm sure that's true.... Now, my dear, we seem unable to understand each other to-day, and trying to do so only throws us farther and farther apart. We both need rest, and time for quiet thought. You must let me decide this point for you. I am going to send word to Dr. Vivian now that you will let him hear from you to-morrow morning."
He released her hand, and turned decisively away. At that moment, the dim hall chimes began to strike six.
"Oh, no, Hugo! Please don't," she broke out, taking a little step after him.... "Please! I don't think I could bear it...."
Canning wheeled instantly, his virile face darkening and flushing.