A kind of passion came into the man's face, and he said:
"Thank God, there's still time to make it all right."
Then his look brought her down a little.... "To make it all right?"
Vivian gazed down. He thought of what lay ahead for her now; and his heart seemed to turn within him.... However, sympathy was not desired of him: his lot was but to strengthen the hands of the brave.
"Miss Heth--indeed, I could envy you all the happiness you are going to give. Think--just think what it means ... I know you must be eager--to begin, to--"
"To begin?" she echoed again, feeling somehow that their privacy was being invaded. "Why--what do you mean?... I don't understand."
"I jump ahead too fast, of course. But--you must be so anxious ... to have it all off your mind, and not think of it any more. I know you must be impatient to get word to Dal at the first possible moment--it means so much to him. More than meat and drink.... And then there's his poor old father ..."
Cally stared at him, speechless. There was no exaltation now; no more soaring. Rooted in her tracks she stood, yet seemed to herself to shrink and recoil from him, in her sudden self-horror. What, oh what, had she done?
And by chance at this very moment--doubtless through some Settlementer's opening a door for air--there came floating down to her the distinct voice of her mother, the strong voice of authority and no nonsense, the voice of Wealth and Permanence, of the victorious knowledge that God thinks twice before he condemns a person of quality.... "_In accepting the Chairmanship of the Finance Committee, I desire to say_ ..."
Cally raised a gloved little hand to her veiled lips. Plainer than speech her frightened eyes said: _Hast thou found me, O mine enemy?_
"You--you've misunderstood. No ... no! I didn't mean that at all."
"Oh!... Do you mean--you don't wish to see Colonel Dalhousie--personally? Of course not!... It wouldn't be necessary in the least. Perhaps you would let me.... And as to a telegram to Dal--"
"_No_--_no!_... You mustn't go to see him. You mustn't send a telegram. I can't allow that--you've misunderstood entirely. _You mustn't tell anybody_...."
They stared at each other with the same colorless faces, and again the rain became audible. In the man's too-confiding eyes, hope died hard.