Elaine had been silent for some minutes, but presently she spoke, uttering something that appeared to have dwelt for long in her mind.
"Bernard," she said, "I am not so hard as you think, but I am sure the way I am acting is the only right way." She paused.
"I am sure it is the right way," answered John, looking into her candid, girlish face.
He noticed again the flicker of surprise. He was always making false steps. The situation was difficult beyond everything he had experienced. Dacent Smith had impressed upon him the importance of tact and finesse. Here was a situation thrust upon him requiring abundance of both.
"You seem to have changed your point of view?"
"Well——" John began, cautiously.
"You were so violent with me," interposed Elaine.
"There was no intention on my part to be anything of the sort towards you," John answered.
He wondered what Treves had done, what Treves had said. He began to experience pleasure in the situation; he began to wonder what was to happen next. But very soon after that the clock struck ten.
Elaine put away her needlework and rose somewhat abruptly.