If she be steadfast enough to cling to her affection for this man,
then at last you will have to yield.' He looked at her frowning,
but did not say a word. 'Then it will perhaps be a comfort for you
to know that the man himself is trustworthy and honest.'
There was a terrible rebuke in this; but still, as he had called
it down upon himself, he would not resent it, even in his heart.
'Thank you,' he said, rising from his chair. 'Perhaps you will see
her again this afternoon.' Of course she assented, and as the
interview had taken place in his rooms she took her leave.
This which Mrs Finn had said to him was all to the same effect as
that which had come from Lady Cantrip; only it was said with a
higher spirit. Both the women saw the matter in the same light.
There must be a fight between him and his girl; but she, if she
could hold out for a certain time, would be the conqueror. He
might take her away and try what absence would do, or he might
have recourse to that specific which had answered so well in
reference to his own wife; but if she continued to sorrow during
absence, and if she would have nothing to do with the other
lever,--then he must at last give way! He had declared that he was
willing to sacrifice himself,--meaning thereby that if a lengthened
visit to the cities of China, or a prolonged sojourn in the
Western States of America would wean her from her love, he would
go to China or to the Western States.
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