They brooded over the situation for a while.
"Does Sophie know?" Michael's eyes went to Potch, a sharper light in them.
"Only that some danger threatens you," Potch said slowly. "Armitage told her."
"You tell her what I've told you, Potch," Michael said.
They talked a little longer, then Potch moved to go away.
"There's nothing to be done?" he asked.
Michael shook his head.
"Things have just got to take their course. There's nothing to be done, Potch," he said.
They came to him together, Sophie and Potch, in a little while, and Sophie went straight to Michael. She put her arms round his neck and her face against his; her eyes were shining with tears and tenderness.
"Michael, dear!" she whispered.