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Isabel’s confidence in him, however, was greater than
any he could feel in her. Not that he thought her capable
of committing an atrocity; but, turn it over as he would,
there was something ominous in the way she reserved her
option. As she took his hand she felt a great respect for him;
she knew how much he cared for her and she thought him
magnanimous. They stood so for a moment, looking at each
other, united by a hand-clasp which was not merely passive
on her side. ‘That’s right,’ she said very kindly, almost ten-
derly. ‘You’ll lose nothing by being a reasonable man.’
‘But I’ll come back, wherever you are, two years hence,’
he returned with characteristic grimness.
We have seen that our young lady was inconsequent,
and at this she suddenly changed her note. ‘Ah, remember, I
promise nothingabsolutely nothing!’ Then more softly, as if
to help him to leave her: ‘And remember too that I shall not
be an easy victim!’
‘You’ll get very sick of your independence.’
‘Perhaps I shall; it’s even very probable. When that day
comes I shall be very glad to see you.’
She had laid her hand on the knob of the door that led
into her room, and she waited a moment to see whether
her visitor would not take his departure. But he appeared
unable to move; there was still an immense unwillingness
in his attitude and a sore remonstrance in his eyes. ‘I must
leave you now,’ said Isabel; and she opened the door and
passed into the other room.
This apartment was dark, but the darkness was tempered
by a vague radiance sent up through the window from the

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