No further question upon the subject would ever pass her lips.

The temptation was definite and great.

For might not the lie, if he could stomach his disgust at telling it, even serve to prolong the life of the child?
Should he not sell his honour to save his honour--if it came to that?
Thus he debated, his nature battling with itself, while at that battle he stoically, for a time, looked on.

But when, at last, the climax was reached, and Damaris commenced to speak, stoicism dragged anchor.

For he could conquer neither his disgust nor his sorrow, could find courage neither for his denial nor for watching the child die.