Chapter 96

Almost she was the victim of a dramatic indecision. She was agonised with hesitations. She let him go into the sitting-room, and, while pretending to be busy in the kitchen, she stood motionless by the fire, staring at it. She had a horror of violence. She had so schooled herself to surrender and to the patient suffering of things, that she trembled a little when this young, dramatic chivalry of his came striding and clanging. She shrank from the wrench, while divining its necessity and its romantic ruthlessness. S…