raight to the corner where she sat. Amherst's
methods in the drawing-room were still as direct as in the cotton-mill.
He always went up at once to the person he sought, without preliminary
waste of tactics; and on this occasion Justine, without knowing what had
passed between himself and Bessy, suspected from the appearance of both
that their talk had resulted in increasing Amherst's desire to be with
some one to whom he could speak freely and naturally on the subject
nearest his heart.

She began at once to question him about Westmore, and the change in his
face showed that his work was still a refuge from all that made life
disheartening and unintelligible. Whatever convictions had been thwarted
or impaired in him, his faith in the importance of his task remained
unshaken; and the firmness with which he held to it filled Justine with
a sense of his strength. The feeling kindled her own desire to escape
again into the world of deeds, yet by a sudden reaction it checked the
growing inclination for Stephen Wyant that had resulted from her revolt
against Lynbrook. Here was a man as careless as Wyant of the minor
forms, yet her appreciation of him was not affected by the lack of
adaptability that she accused herself of criticizing in her suitor. She
began to see that it was not the sense of Wyant's social deficiencies
that had held her back; and the discovery at once set free her judgment
of him, enabling her to penetrate to the real causes of her reluctance.
She understood now that the flaw she felt was far deeper than any defect
of manner. It was the sense in him of something unstable and
incalculable, something at once weak and violent, that was brought to
light by the contrast of Amherst's quiet resolution. Here was a man whom
no gusts of chance could deflect from his purpose; while she felt that
the career to which Wyant had so ardently given himself would always be
at the mercy of his passing emotions.

As the distinction grew clearer, Justine trembled to think that she had
so nearly pledged herself, without the excuse of love, to a man whose
failings she could judge so lucidly.... But had she ever really thought
of marrying Wyant? While she continued to talk with Amherst such a
possibility became more and more remote, till she began to feel it was
no more than a haunting dream. But her promise to see Wyant the next
day reminded her of the nearness of her peril. How could she have played
with her fate so lightly--sh