Yet he bade me depart; not
from the fear of consequences, for he is above fear, nor from any
personal esteem for me whom he confessed that he had come to find
detestable; and this for the very reason that made him concerned
for my safety."
"I do not understand," she said, as he paused. "Is not that a
contradiction in itself?"
"It seems so only. The fact is, Arabella, this unfortunate man has
the... the temerity to love you."
She cried out at that, and clutched her breast whose calm was
suddenly disturbed. Her eyes dilated as she stared at him.
"I... I've startled you," said he, with concern. "I feared I should.
But it was necessary so that you may understand."
"Go on," she bade him.
"Well, then: he saw in me one who made it impossible that he should
win you - so he said. Therefore he could with satisfaction have
killed me. But because my death might cause you pain, because your
happiness was the thing that above all things he desired, he
surrendered that part of his guarantee of safety which my person
afforded him.
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