She asked him, instead, for news of Miss Vincent.
Marsham answered, with difficulty.

If there had been sudden alarm in her, there had been a sudden tumult of the blood in him.

He had almost lost his hold upon himself; the great words had been almost spoken.
But when the conversation had been once more guided into normal channels, he felt that he had escaped a risk.

No, no, not yet! One false step--one check--and he might still find himself groping in the dark.
Better let himself be missed a little!--than move too soon.

As to Roughsedge--he had kept his eyes open.