"I—I hardly understand you, Mrs. Elsmere."
They stood facing each other in silence.
"Surely we need not inform her," he said, at last, in a low voice.
"Only that a wicked and untrue story has been circulated—that you cannot, for good reasons, involving other persons, prosecute those responsible for it in the usual way. And if she comes across any signs of it, or its effects, she is to trust your wisdom in dealing with it—and not to be troubled—is not that what you would like me to say?"
"That is indeed what I should like you to say." He raised his eyes to her gravely.
"Or—will you say it yourself?"
He started.
"Mrs. Elsmere!"—he spoke with quick emotion—"You are wonderfully good to me." He scanned her with an unsteady face—then made an agitated step toward her. "It almost makes me think—you permit me—"
"No—no," said Catharine, hurriedly, drawing back. "But if you would like to speak to Mary—she will be here directly."
"No!"—he said, after a moment, recovering his composure—"I couldn't!
But—will you?"