.

THE MAN'S DECISION.
MY first impulse was the reckless impulse to follow Eustace--openly through the streets.
The Major and Benjamin both opposed this hasty resolution on my part.
They appealed to my own sense of self-respect, without (so far as I remember it) producing the slightest effect on my mind.

They were more successful when they entreated me next to be patient for my husband's sake.

In mercy to Eustace, they begged me to wait half an hour.

If he failed to return in that time, they pledged themselves to accompany me in search of him to the hotel.
In mercy to Eustace I consented to wait.