Clarice, in fact, was in that compressed fever-heat of the mushroom passions which takes on the semblance of intense and penetrating calm.

And her very consciousness of this calm seemed to ally her to Drake, to give to them both something in common.

She was troubled by no plans for the future; she had no regret for anything which had happened in the past.

The vague questions which had stirred her--why had she been afraid of him ?--was the failure of her marriage her fault ?--for these questions she had no room.

She did not think at all, she only felt that her heart was anchored to a rock..