Do you drive me to that ?' The absence of passion in her voice impressed him far more than violence could have done.

Her countenance had changed from pleading to scorn.
He stood uncertain.
'Now indeed,' Adela continued, 'I am doing what no woman should have to do.' Her voice became bitter.

'I have not a man's strength; I can only threaten you with shame which will fall more heavily on myself.' 'Your word against mine,' he muttered, trying to smile.
'You could defend yourself by declaring me infamous ?' Did he know the meaning of that flash across her face?
Only when the words were uttered did their full significance strike Adela herself.
'You could defend yourself by saying that I lied against you ?' He regarded her from beneath his eyebrows as she repeated the question.
In the silence which followed he seated himself on the chair nearest to him.

Adela too sat down.
For more than a quarter of an hour they remained thus, no word exchanged.

Then Adela rose and approached her husband.
'If I order the carriage,' she said softly, 'will you come with me at once to Belwick ?' He gave no answer.