‘I shall marry her from there.’
‘And then?’
‘I shall take her back to my home.’
‘To Canada—I see—a safe distance of course.’
He held out his hand: ‘Oh, for God’s sake, don’t! It’s so horrible somehow—be merciful, Stephen.’
She laughed bitterly: ‘Why should I be merciful to you? Isn’t it enough that I accept your challenge, that I offer you the freedom of my house, that I don’t turn you out and forbid you to come here? Come by all means, whenever you like. You may even repeat our conversation to Mary; I shall not do so, but don’t let that stop you if you think you may possibly gain some advantage.’
He shook his head: ‘No, I shan’t repeat it.’
‘Oh, well, that must be as you think best. I propose to behave as though nothing had happened—and now I must get along with my work.’
He hesitated: ‘Won’t you shake hands?’
‘Of course,’ she smiled; ‘aren’t you my very good friend? But you know, you really must leave me now, Martin.’