She did not admit, even to herself, that she was afraid of De Chauxville.

But she was playing her best cards, in her best manner.

She had never known them fail.
Claude de Chauxville was a little white about the lips.

His eyelids flickered, but by an effort he controlled himself, and she did not see the light in his eyes for which she looked.
"If you mean," he said coldly, "the statement that I made to you before you were married--namely, that I love you--I am quite content to leave the proof till the future.

I know what I am about, madame." He took his watch from his pocket and consulted it.
"I must go in five minutes," he said.