self-respect demanded it; only
thus could she justify herself before his sisters and other people who
knew her. _They_, perhaps, would not see it in the light of
justification, but that mattered little; her own conscience would
approve what she had done. But to steal away, and live henceforth in
hiding, like a woman dishonoured even in her own eyes--from that she
shrank with repugnance. Rather than that, would it not be preferable to
break with her husband, and openly live apart from him, alone?

'Be honest with me,' she suddenly exclaimed. 'Had you rather I didn't
come?'

'No, no! I can't live without you--'

'But, if that is true, why haven't you the courage to let every one
know it? In your heart you must think that we are acting wrongly.'

'I don't! I believe, as you do, that love is the only true marriage.
Very well!' He made a desperate gesture. 'Let us defy all consequences.
For your sake--'

His exaggerated vehemence could not deceive Monica.

'What is it,' she asked, 'that you most fear?'

He began to babble protestations, but she would not listen to them.

'Tell me--I have every right to ask--what you most fear?'

'I fear nothing if _you_ are with me. Let my relatives say and think
what they like. I have made great sacrifices for them; to give up _you_
would be too much.'

Yet his distress was evident. It strained the corners of his mouth,
wrinkled his forehead.

'The disgrace would be more than you could bear. You would never see
your mother and your sisters again.'

'If they are so prejudiced, so unreasonable, I can't help it. They
must--'

He was interrupted by a loud rat-tat at the outer door. Blanched
herself, Monica saw that her lover's face turned to ghastly pallor.

'Who can that be?' he whispered hoarsely. 'I expect no one.'

'Need you answer?'

'Can it be--? Have you been followed? Does any one suspect--?'

They stared at each other, still half-paralysed, and stood waiting thus
until the knock was repeated impatiently.

'I daren't open,' Bevis whispered, coming close to her, as if on the
impulse of seeking protection--for to offer it was assuredly not in his
mind. 'It might be--'

'No! That's impossible.'

'I daren't go to the door. The risk is too frightful. He will go away,
whoever it is, if no one answers.'

Both were shaking in the second stage of terror. Bevis put his arm
about Monica, and felt her heart give great throbs against his own.
Their passion for the moment