Euphrasia was silent a moment.
“He never knew,” she repeated, in a low voice.
“Well, Phrasie, it looks very much as if we were in the same boat,” he said.
Euphrasia's heart gave a bound.
“Then you haven't spoke!” she cried; “I knew you hadn't. I—I was a woman—but sometimes I've thought I'd ought to have given him some sign. You're a man, Austen; thank God for it, you're a man. If a man loves a woman, he's only got to tell her so.”
“It isn't as simple as that,” he answered.
Euphrasia gave him a startled glance.
“She ain't married?” she exclaimed.
“No,” he said, and laughed in spite of himself.
Euphrasia breathed again. For Sarah Austen had had a morality of her own, and on occasions had given expression to extreme views.