Her power to control herself was completely exhausted; her own impulses led her as they pleased.

She got up, determined not to let Geoffrey leave the house without risking an effort to make him reveal what he knew about Anne.

It was nothing less than downright treason to Sir Patrick to act on her own responsibility in this way.

She knew it was wrong; she was heartily ashamed of herself for doing it.

But the demon that possesses women with a recklessness all their own, at the critical moments of their lives, had got her--and she did it.
Geoffrey had arranged overnight, to breakfast early, by himself, and to walk the ten miles to his brother's house; sending a servant to fetch his luggage later in the day.
He had got on his hat; he was standing in the hall, searching his pocket for his second self, the pipe--when Blanche suddenly appeared from the morning-room, and placed herself between him and the house door.
"Up early--eh ?" said Geoffrey.