For a full minute he sat silent, looking steadily at her. Incapable as he was of appreciating how she had arrived at, or been driven to, this monstrous decision, yet he had perception enough and experience enough to see that she was sincere in it and set on it; and he knew that she could give effect to it if she chose. In that minute's silence he fought hard with himself; he had a mighty temptation to scold, a still mightier to flout and jeer, to bring his heavy artillery of sarcasm to bear. He resisted and triumphed. He looked at the clock. It was a quarter-past twelve. "You'll hardly expect me to deal with such a very important matter at this hour of the night, and without full consideration," he said. "You must know that such separations are contrary to my views, and I hope you know that, in spite of the friction which has arisen, I have still a strong affection for you." "I shan't change my mind, Cyril. I shan't come back." He kept the curb on himself. "I really would rather not discuss it without more consideration, Winnie--and I think I have a right to ask you to give it a little more, and to hear what I have to say after reflection. Is that unfair? At least you'll admit it's a serious step?" "I suppose it's fair," she murmured impatiently. She would have given the world to be able to call it grossly unfair. "But it's no use," she added, almost fierce in her rejection of the idea that her determination might weaken. "Let us both think and pray," he said gravely. "This visit of yours to the Aikenheads' may be a good thing. It'll give you time to reflect, and there'll be no passing causes of irritation to affect your calmer judgment. Let us treat it as settled that you stay with them for a fortnight--but treat nothing else as settled to-night. One thing more--have you told anybody about this idea?" "Only Hobart Gaynor. I went and asked him whether I could do it if I wanted to. I told him I meant to do it." "He'll hold his tongue. Mention it to nobody else, please." "I won't till--till it's settled." She smiled. "We've actually agreed on one or two things! That's very unusual in our wrangles, Cyril." He came up to her and kissed her on the forehead. "For God's sake, think! You don't in the least know what it means to you--or to me either." She drew her head quickly back; a bitter retort was on the tip of her tongue. "Yes--but I know what life with you means!" She did not utter it; there was a pinched weariness in his face which for the moment disarmed her. She sighed disconsolately, turned away from him, and drifted out of the room, her shoulders bent as though by great fatigue.