She had still a dozen steps to make before reaching the big white building that stands across the corner of the street, and she was hurrying on, lest she should not reach the door in time. Then she almost ran against Colonel Wimpole, walking slowly along the pavement where there was a half shadow. Both stopped short, and looked at each other in surprise. He saw the letter in her hand, and guessed that she had written to her husband.
"I was only going to the post office," she said, half apologetically, for she thought that he must wonder why she had come out alone at such an hour.
"Will you let me walk with you?" he asked.
He made a step forwards, as though expecting her to turn back from her errand and go with him.
"Not that way," she said. "I must go to the post office first."
"No. Please don’t." He placed himself in her way.
She spoke emphatically and stood still, facing him, while their eyes met again, and neither spoke again for a few seconds.
"You are ruining your life," he said, after the pause. "When that letter is gone, you will never be able to get it back."
"You will." His lips set themselves rather firmly as he opposed her, but her face darkened.
"Is this a trial of strength between us?" she asked.
"Yes. I mean to keep you from going back to Henry Harmon."
"I have made up my mind," Helen answered.
"How can you hinder me? You cannot prevent me from sending this letter, nor from going to him if I choose. And I have chosen to go. That ends it."
"You are mistaken. You are reckoning without me, and I will make it impossible."
"Yes. Come and walk a little, and we can talk. If you insist upon it, drop your letter into the box. But it will only complicate matters, for you shall not go back to Harmon."
Again she looked at him. He had never spoken in this way, during all the years of their acknowledged friendship and unspoken love. She felt that she resented his words and manner, but at the same time that she loved him better and admired him more. He was stronger and more dominant than she had guessed.
"You have no right to say such things to me," she answered. "But I will walk with you for a few minutes. Of course you can hinder me from sending my letter now. I can take it to the post office by and by."