Violet Jacob > Flemington

FLEMINGTON
114
keep her head. She made no feeble mistake in
that moment, for she saw the vital importance of
the conflict impending between them with clear
eyes. She knew her back to be nearer the wall
than it had been yet. Her mind was as agile as
her body was by nature indolent, and it was
always ready to turn in any direction and look
any foe squarely in the face. She was startled,
but she could not be shaken.
“ I’ve left Balnillo for good," said he again. “ I
cannot go back—I will not!”
“You—will not?" said Christian, half closing
her eyes. The pupils had contracted, and looked
like tiny black beads set in a narrow glitter of
grey. “ Is that what you have come home to say
to me ?"
“ It is impossible!” he cried, turning away and
flinging out his arms. “ It is more than I can do !
I will not go man-hunting after Logie. I will go
anywhere else, do anything else, but not that!"
“ There is nothing else for you to do."
“ Then I will come back here.”
“ That you will not,” said Christian.
He drew in his breath as if he had been struck.
“ What are you that you should betray me, and
yet think to force yourself on me without my
resenting it? What do you think I am that I
should suffer it ?”
She laughed.
“ I have not betrayed you,” said he in a husky
voice.
The loyal worship he had given her unques-