"But that is all past. I have spoken
to him, and he promises to behave himself quite properly if you will
come. Voila!"
Just for a moment the possibilities of the suggestion caught his mind.
He would be near Nance all the time. He would be saved much tiresome
walking to and fro. Especially he would be saved that passage of the
Coupee, which at night, even with a lantern, was not a thing one easily
got accustomed to, and on stormy nights was enough to make one's hair
fly. Then this woman was very different from his present landlady, and
would probably, he thought, have different notions of comfort.
The quick black eyes caught something of what was in him: and he, as
suddenly, caught something of what lurked, consciously or unconsciously,
in them, and a little tremor of repugnance shook his heart and braced
him back to reason.
He shook his head. "It would not do, madame. He and I would never get on
together, no matter how hard we tried. I thank you for the offer all the
same," and he made as though to pass her.
"I wish you would come," she said, and laid a pleading hand on his arm.
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