She lay back, thinking.
“I know that it looks to me reasonable and good.”
“Of course it is. Not in every case, mind you. I’m not boasting. I only happen to know myself. I am a particular sort of man who has discovered that such a life is the life, and that I am capable of living it. I would not recommend it for the million. It is possible, because you are you.”
She said, half in a whisper:
“You must tell her before I come!”
“I will!”
“And I shall not come unless she understands, and sympathises, which seems incredible.”
Canterton stopped the car and turned in his seat, with one hand resting on the steering-wheel.
“If, by any chance, she persists in seeing ugly things, thinking ugly thoughts, then I shall break the social ropes. I don’t want to. But I shall do it, if society, in her person, refuses to see things cleanly.”
His voice and presence dominated her. She knew in her heart of hearts that he was in grim earnest, that nothing would shake him, that he would go through to the end. And the woman in her leapt to him with a new exultation, and with a tenderness that rose to match his strength.