"And I haven't got you either—You think now for the moment that it is so—But I know what it would be if we were hiding about on the Continent or secretly meeting here in London—That's not for us, Francis."
"I've got you," he repeated. "I'm not going to wait any longer——"
"It's the only way you'll ever have me," she answered, "by letting me do my duty to Roddy—I promise you that. If ever life is impossible—if it's ever better for both of us that I should go, I'll come to you—But I shall tell him first."
"Tell him! But he won't let you go."
"He won't stop me—if it comes to that."
He pleaded with her then, telling her about his life, its loneliness, his unhappiness, how impossible it would be now without her.
But she shook her head.
"Don't you think," she cried, "that grandmother would be delighted if we went off? Both of us done for—you never able to return again ... Ah! no! For all of us, for every reason, it's not to be."
"I won't let you go—I've got you. I'll keep you."
"You can't, Francis——"