Chapter XII

           ’Doyouthinksheismad?’Agnesasked.

           ’Ithinksheissimplywicked.False,superstitious,inveteratelycruel—butnotmad.Ibelievehermainmotiveincomingherewastoenjoytheluxuryoffrighteningyou.’

           ’Shehasfrightenedme.Iamashamedtoownit—butsoitis.’

           Henrylookedather,hesitatedforamoment,andseatedhimselfonthesofabyherside.

           ’Iamveryanxiousaboutyou,Agnes,’hesaid.’Butforthefortunatechancewhichledmetocallhereto-day—whoknowswhatthatvilewomanmightnothavesaidordone,ifshehadfoundyoualone?Mydear,youareleadingasadlyunprotectedsolitarylife.Idon’tliketothinkofit;Iwanttoseeitchanged—especiallyafterwhathashappenedto-day.No!no!itisuselesstotellmethatyouhaveyouroldnurse.Sheistooold;sheisnotinyourrankoflife—thereisnosufficientprotectioninthecompanionshipofsuchapersonforaladyinyourposition.Don’tmistakeme,Agnes!whatIsay,Isayinthesincerityofmydevotiontoyou.’Hepaused,andtookherhand.Shemadeafeebleefforttowithdrawit—andyielded.’Willthedaynevercome,’hepleaded,’whentheprivilegeofprotectingyoumaybemine?whenyouwillbetheprideandjoyofmylife,aslongasmylifelasts?’Hepressedherhandgently.Shemadenoreply.Thecolourcameandwentonherface;hereyeswereturnedawayfromhim.’HaveIbeensounhappyastooffendyou?’heasked.

           Sheansweredthat—shesaid,almostinawhisper,’No.’

           ’HaveIdistressedyou?’

           ’Youhavemademethinkofthesaddaysthataregone.