He reflected. "I suppose not; you're a singular woman."
"I'm singularly placed."
He walked to and fro again. Rachel, meanwhile, heard Belhaven slowly descending the stairs.
"Johnstone, you—you don't mean to quarrel with him now?"
"I've told you I can't; he's safe enough."
"I'm thankful for that!"
Astry stood still, regarding her earnestly, his heavy pale eyes seeming to concentrate thought.
"You're unhappy."
She turned away. "Pardon me, we've said enough."
"I accept my rebuke as I long ago accepted my congé," he said gently. "Nevertheless you're wretched, and you've been a good angel to Eva; I owe about all I've got left to you."