“You want to escape, Clare.”
“Escape?”
She seemed frightened at that word. She whispered it.
“Escape from the deadening influence of domestic dulness.”
“I can’t deny the dulness,” said Clare.
“You want adventure. Your heart is seeking adventure. You know it. You know that I am telling you the truth.”
As the man spoke he came closer to her, and with his hands in his pockets stood in front of her, staring into her eyes.
“You make me afraid,” said Clare. All the color had faded out of her face and she was dead white.
“You need not be afraid, Clare. The love of a man for a woman is not a terrifying thing. It is a good thing. Good as life.”
He took her by the wrists and held them tight.