"Be patient with me, Lena. I can't talk about it—I would if I could. I know all I owe to you—all I can never repay; but there is nothing more to tell you than that I have offered her a home. I have made a proposal—I was not aware that she had definitely accepted, and that is why I said nothing to you about it."
Lady Dashwood got up. She did not approach her brother. Her instinct told her not to touch him, or entreat him by such means. She made a step towards the hearth, and said in a muffled voice—
"Will you answer one question? You can answer it."
He made no sound of assent.
"Are you in love with her? or"—and here Lady Dashwood's voice shook—"do you feel that she will help you? Do you think she will be helpful to—the College?"
There was a pause, and then the Warden's voice came to her; he was forcing himself to speak very calmly.
"I have no right to speak of what may not happen. Lena, can't you see that I haven't?"
The pause came again.
"You have answered it," said Lady Dashwood, in a broken voice.
There was no time to think now, for at that moment there came a sound that startled both of them and made them stand for a second with lifted heads listening.