“Yes, I want to tell you everything.”
“Is this man your lover?”
“No—no.”
“But he has endeavoured to be?”
“Yes.”
“Then why has he remained here?”
“I was afraid to send him away.”
“Why? What were you afraid of?”
“You. I thought if you knew you’d do something dreadful.”
It was curious, but it seemed as if suddenly these two—the husband and the wife—were quite alone. If the man they spoke of had been swept a thousand miles from the room, they could not have disregarded him more completely than they did now. Cynthia had linked her hands round the General’s neck; she was looking up into his stern, unflinching eyes, her voice was strong and clear as she answered each question.