"Let us try the library," she said.
And with the assured skill of an experienced navigator of social waters, she led him there and found it empty.
XVII
Henry Harper's decision had been taken finally. But as soon as he entered this large and dull room, he felt the chill of its emptiness in an almost symbolical way. It was what his whole life was going to be, and the thought nearly wrung a groan out of him.
She was puzzled by a certain oddness in his manner, a feeling which of late had been growing upon her. It was hard to understand. She knew his need of help, his craving for it, yet now the time had come when he had only to ask in order to receive it he seemed at the mercy of a painful indecision which had the power to wound.
Here and now a subtle withdrawal of the highest part of himself seemed more than ever apparent. It was even in his face this afternoon, in the wonderful face of Ulysses that had all the oceans of the world in it. What did it portend? Was it that he was afraid?
What had he to fear? How could such a person as herself repel him? She had all to give if only he would demand it of her.
Of that he must be aware. The haunted eyes of the sailorman too clearly proclaimed his knowledge.
"How is 'A Master Mariner'?" she asked, in order to end the silence which had intervened as soon as they entered the room.