Lee perceived it all.

The matter for Higginson had been like the ditch with Bryant: something tremendous, something to be met with the means at hand, something to be accomplished at all costs.

And now his brain was ringing with triumph.
He was superior to anything Bryant might think or say or do.

For the moment he was quite ecstatic.

One in his exalted state could conceive nothing unmeet in having haled a strange, sensitive girl into the ghastly business for an assistant.
"I'll conduct Miss Graham to my office, where she can remain until she's wholly herself," Bryant said.