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.
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