She held her breath. Nicky's voice was charged with a curious emotion.
"I knew," he went on, "it wasn't any use my coming as long as you were immersed. I wouldn't for worlds do anything that could possibly injure your career."
"Oh—my career——"
"The question is," he meditated, "would it?"
"Your coming, Nicky?"
"My not keeping away. I suppose I ought to be content to stand aside and watch it, your genius, when it's so tremendous. I've no right to get in its way——"
"You don't—you don't."
"I wouldn't. I always should be standing aside and watching. That," said Nicky, "would be, you see, my attitude."
"Dear Nicky," she murmured, "it's a beautiful attitude. It couldn't—your attitude—be anything but beautiful."
"Only, of course," he added, "I'd be there."