She had left that fear behind.

She went to the drawing-room to see him, full of resolution.
"I could not go away," he said, after relinquishing her hand, "without coming to see you." Jocelyn said nothing.

The scared look which she had last seen in his face was no longer there; but the eyes were full of lies.
"Jocelyn," the man went on, "I suppose you know that I love you?
It must have been plain to you for a long time." "No," she answered, with a little catch in her breath.

"No, it has not.
And I am sorry to hear it now." "Why ?" he asked, with a dull gleam which could not be dignified by the name of love.
"Because it can only lead to trouble." Victor Durnovo was standing with his back to the window, while Jocelyn, in the full light of the afternoon, stood before him.

He looked her slowly up and down with a glance of approval which alarmed and disquieted her.
"Will you marry me ?" he asked.
"No!" His black moustache was pushed forward by some motion of the hidden lips.
"Why ?" "Do you want the real reason ?" asked Jocelyn.
Victor Durnovo paused for a moment.
"Yes," he said.
"Because I not only do not care for you, but I despise and distrust you." "You are candid," he said, with an unpleasant little laugh.
"Yes." He moved a little to one side and drew a chair towards him, half-leaning, half-sitting on the back of it.
"Then," he said, "I will be candid with you.