26/42 Mutimer turned away and leaned his arms upon the mantelpiece. His body trembled. An inexplicable shame kept Mutimer silent and motionless. Adela, when the shock of repugnance had passed over, almost forgot the subject of their conversation in vain endeavours to understand this man in whose power she was. His passion was mysterious, revolting--impossible for her to reconcile with his usual bearing, with his character as she understood it. |