I'm sure it would be best for everybody." And now she was on her knees beside him, soothing him; protesting that he had misunderstood her; that she had meant--oh, she didn't know what she had meant, she was so distressed on his account.
"And there's never the need to be," he assured her.

"Surely you can be guided by me if you want to help me.

As soon as ever my leg gets well again I'll be after fending for myself, and trouble you no further.

But if you want to shelter me until then, do it thoroughly, and don't give way to fear at every shadow without substance that falls across your path." She promised it, and on that promise left him; and, believing him, she bore herself more cheerfully for the remainder of the day.

But that evening after they had dined her fears and anxieties drove her at last to seek her natural and legal protector.
Sir Terence had sauntered off towards the house, gloomy and silent as he had been throughout the meal.