Paul did not at that moment look a likely subject for explanations--even the explanations of a beautiful woman.

But there was one human quantity which in all his experience Karl Steinmetz had never successfully gauged--namely, the extent of a woman's power over the man who loves, or at one time has loved her.
"She cannot explain away Stepan Lanovitch's ruined life.

She can hardly explain away a thousand deaths from unnatural causes every winter, in this province alone." This was what Steinmetz dreaded--justice.
"Give her the opportunity," he said.
Paul was looking out of the window.

His singularly firm mouth was still and quiet--not a mouth for explanations.
"I will, if you like," he said.
"I do like, Paul.

I beg of you to do it.