There was always the chance, too, that Zoe in the desperation of the moment might run away from me.

She had the English blood of my father in her veins, venturesome, perhaps reckless.

Perhaps it was well that she had no control of the profits of the farm which had thus far been allotted to her, nor her share of the ready money which my father had left.

I had had Reverdy appointed her guardian, making myself accountable to him.

I deemed this the fitting thing; and I was also brought to do it because I might be absent at times in the future when she would need money.