'Stephen, I meant to let him see.' Drake drew himself up against the door.

It would be no longer of any service to her, he thought, if he left England and returned to Matanga.
Something more trenchant was needed.
He reflected again that he filled no place which another could not fill, and the reflection took a wider meaning than it had done before.

'Yes,' he said; 'it's very awkward that it should all come out just now.' Clarice stared at him in perplexity.

'Awkward that it should all come out,' she repeated vaguely; and then, with an accent of relief, 'You mean that it will injure the Company ?' 'Not so much that.

The Company can run without me--quite well now--I am certain of it.' He spoke as though he was endeavouring to assure himself of what he said.
'But it won't hurt you, really,' she exclaimed.