"I think the burden would be greater than we could bear," Scott said.
"Oh, do you? I think it would be such a relief to know." Dinah uttered a sharp sigh. "It's no good talking," she said. "Only one thing is certain. I'm not going to break with Billy of course, but I'll never go back to Perrythorpe again, never as long as I live!"
There was a quiver of passion in her voice. She looked at Scott with what was almost a challenge in her eyes.
He did not answer it. His face wore a look of perplexity. But, "If I were in your place," he said quietly, "I think I should say the same."
"I am sure you would," she said warmly. "I only tolerated it so long because I didn't know what freedom was like. When I went to Switzerland, I found out; and when I came back, it just wasn't endurable any longer. But I wish I knew--I do wish I knew--what I were going to do."
The words were out before she could stop them, but the moment they were uttered she made a sharp gesture as though she would recall them.
"I'm silly to talk like this," she said. "Please forget it!"
He smiled a little. "Not silly, Dinah," he said, "but mistaken. Believe me, the future is already provided for."
Her brows contracted slightly. "Ah, you are good," she said. "You believe in God."
"So do you," he said, with quiet conviction.
Her lip quivered. "I believe He would help anyone like you, but--but He wouldn't bother Himself about me. There are too many others of the same sort."
Scott looked at her in genuine astonishment. "What a curious idea!" he said. "You don't really think that, do you?"
She nodded. "I can't help it. Life is such a maze of difficulties, and one has to face them all alone."
"You won't face yours alone," he said quickly.
She smiled rather piteously. "I've faced all the worst bits alone so far."
"I know," Scott said. "But you are through the worst now."
She shook her head doubtfully. "I'm afraid of life," she said.
He saw that she did not wish to pursue the subject and put it gently aside. "Shall we go in?" he said. "I should like to be at hand when Isabel wakes."