She was breathing hard with her hurt.
He examined her. “Yes: that is a lie. That would be a reasonable reason. Too reasonable for you. I could respect that: even coöperate with it. If there were any chance of success,” For an instant, he had tricked her into stirring toward him. She winced. “You can’t expect me to crucify myself and David for your vague philanthropic folly.”
“No, Tom—I cannot.”
Then: “Tom, are you altogether frank with me? Do you really think my haunting fears are due to a selfish cause?”
“No, Cornelia.”
“Do you think, Tom—answer me on your honor—do you think they are really vague and foolish?”
Waiting for his word, as he stood silent, she found that she wanted him so to think them.
His answer came: “No. They are not foolish. And only we are vague about them.”
“Tom!"...
She must look out. She was so weak before him. She was ever so near to dangerous pleading. She straightened herself back.