"Mary," he said, "if you cannot reasonably go through with this, remember that I resigned last night for the chance of you. It was only a chance."
"It was a safe chance," she answered quickly; "a chance that depended on my honour."
Wenderby gratefully accepted her decision. He became practical.
"How would you have it arranged?" he asked. "I mean the formal part of it."
"We must meet, and be publicly seen. The engagement—shall we say three months from now?"
Her sobriety misgave him. He began to realise the extent of her sacrifice. Had he pressed her unfairly?
"You are sure you can go on with this?" he urgently asked, again opening a way of retreat.
"Quite sure," she firmly answered. "I cannot yet be glad of this event; but I shouldn't undertake to be your wife if I did not think I was able to keep faith. I shall join you gladly, and without reserve."
Wenderby bent his head.