“She does not think anything of the kind,” said he, with a peculiar smile. “She knows that there is no question of good nature or of boredom in the matter at all; but there is something at stake far more touching than either.” He waited to see if she would speak, but as she was silent he went on: “I will be honest, if you will not. I am not going away of my freewill. I have been called by a telegram this morning to the Continent; the matter is so pressing that--shall I confess it?--if this stupid meeting with the Commodore had been arranged, I should have been a defaulter. Yes, I'd have made I don't well know what explanation to account for my absence. I can imagine what comments would have been passed upon my conduct. I feel very painfully, too, for the part I should have left to such of my friends here as would defend me, and yet have not a fragment to guide their defence. And still, with all these before me, I repeat, I would have gone away, so imminent is the case that calls me, and so much is the matter one that involves the whole future of my life. And now,” said he, while his voice became fuller and bolder, “that I have told you this, I am ready to tell you more, and to say that at one word of yours--one little word--I 'll remain.” “And what may that word be?” said she, quietly; for while he was speaking she had been preparing herself for some such issue. “I need not tell you,” said he, gravely. “Supposing, then, that I guess it,--I am not sure that I do,--but suppose that,--and could it not be just as well said by another,--by Bella, for instance?” “You know it could not. This is only fencing, for you know it could not.” “You mean, in fact, that I should say, 'don't go?'” “I do.” “Well, I 'm willing enough to say so, if my words are not to convey more than I intend by them.” “I 'll risk even that,” said he, quickly. “Put your name to the bond, and we 'll let lawyers declare what it is worth after.” “You frighten me, Mr. Maitland,” said she, and her tone showed that now at least she was sincere.