It was to risk too much; it might strike a fatal blow at his respect for her.

Even those last words she had breathed with dread, involuntarily; already, perhaps, she had failed in the delicacy he looked for, and had given him matter for disagreeable thought as soon as he left her.

She rose at length from her kneeling attitude, and leaned back in her chair with a look of trouble scarcely veiled.
Wilfrid did not notice it; he had already begun to think of other matters.
'Beatrice,' he began, 'there's a subject I have avoided speaking of, thinking you might perhaps be the first to mention it.

Do you wish to continue your singing ?' She smiled, and did not seem to attach great importance to the question.
'It is for you to decide,' she answered.

'You know why I began it; I am ready to say my farewell whenever you bid me.' 'But what is your own feeling?
I suppose you would in any case cease at our marriage ?' 'You are not ashamed of it ?' 'It is true,' he replied humorously, 'that I am a member of the British House of Commons, but I beg you won't think too meanly of me.