"With Sir Francis," he answered. "I did not want you to know. There is nothing to be done."
"You were to be his second?"
"Yes."
"And—and now?"
"You heard."
She rose. The dim lamplight felt a weight upon her eyes.
"I had no business to ask you to hold back, Marius," she said dully. "Women should not interfere."
He made no answer. His head drooped a little on his breast, his eyes were cast down.
"But I could not bear it," continued Susannah. "That must be my excuse. I could not bear"—she stressed the words passionately—"to see you draw your sword on him; but I was wrong. It was unjust to you."
"He has done with me," said Marius, without raising his head. "But when you whispered to me, when I saw—understood, I decided, and I am glad."