You know, this sort of thing is awfully difficult to prove.
You say he's in love with you; perhaps he doesn't want to lose you altogether.
I swear I'd accept anything rather than that if you were my wife."
She leaned towards him.
Her body became limp and yielding against his arm. The love she felt for him was almost torture.
His last words had struck her: perhaps Walter loved her so passionately that he was prepared to accept any humiliation if sometimes she would let him love her.
She could understand that; for that was how she felt towards Charlie.
A thrill of pride passed through her, and at the same time a faint sensation of contempt for a man who could love so slavishly.
She put her arm lovingly round Charlie's neck.
"You're simply wonderful.
I was shaking like a leaf when I came here and you've made everything all right."
He took her face in his hands and kissed her lips.
"Darling."
"You're such a comfort to me," she sighed.
"I'm sure you need not be nervous.
And you know I'll stand by you.
I won't let you down".
She put away her fears, but for an instant unreasonably she regretted that her plans for the future were shattered.
Now that all danger was past she almost wished that Walter were going to insist on a divorce.
"I knew I could count on you," she said.
"So I should hope."
"Oughtn't you to go and have your tiffin?"
"Oh, damn my tiffin." He drew her more closely to him and now she was held tight in his arms.
His mouth sought hers. "Oh, Charlie, you must let me go."
"Never."
She gave a little laugh, a laugh of happy love and of triumph; his eyes were heavy with desire.
He lifted her to her feet and not letting her go but holding her close to his breast he locked the door.
XXI
ALL through the afternoon she thought of what Charlie had said about Walter.
They were dining out that evening and when he came back from the Club she was dressing.
He knocked at her door.
"Come in."
He did not open.
"I'm going straight along to dress.
How long will you be?"
"Ten minutes."
He said nothing more, but went to his own room.
His voice had that constrained note which she had heard in it the night before.
She felt fairly sure of herself now.
She was ready before he was and when he came downstairs she was already seated in the car.
"I'm afraid I've kept you waiting," he said.
"I shall survive it," she replied, and she was able to smile as she spoke.
She made an observation or two as they drove down the hill, but he answered curtly.
She shrugged her shoulders; she was growing a trifle impatient: if he wanted to sulk, let him, she didn't care.
They drove in silence till they reached their destination.
It was a large dinner party.
There were too many people and too many courses.
While Kitty chatted gaily with her neighbours she watched Walter.
He was deathly pale and his face was pinched.
"Your husband is looking rather washed out.