" "She gives me after all, on
its coming to the pinch, a last mercy, another chance. They don't
sail, you see, for five or six weeks more, and they haven't--she
admits that--expected Chad would take part in their tour. It's
still open to him to join them, at the last, at Liverpool."
Miss Gostrey considered. "How in the world is it 'open' unless you
open it? How can he join them at Liverpool if he but sinks deeper
into his situation here?"
"He has given her--as I explained to you that she let me know
yesterday--his word of honour to do as I say."
Maria stared. "But if you say nothing!"
Well, he as usual walked about on it. "I did say something this
morning. I gave her my answer--the word I had promised her after
hearing from himself what HE had promised. What she demanded of
me yesterday, you'll remember, was the engagement then and there to
make him take up this vow."
"Well then," Miss Gostrey enquired, "was the purpose of your visit
to her only to decline?"
"No; it was to ask, odd as that may seem to you, for another delay."
"Ah that's weak!"
"Precisely!" She had spoken with impatience, but, so far as that
at least, he knew where he was. "If I AM weak I want to find it
out. If I don't find it out I shall have the comfort, the little
glory, of thinking I'm strong.
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