If Roderick was resolute, why oppose him?
If Mary was to be sacrificed, why, in that way, try to save her?
There was another way; it only needed a little presumption to make it possible.

Rowland tried, mentally, to summon presumption to his aid; but whether it came or not, it found conscience there before it.

Conscience had only three words, but they were cogent.
"For her sake--for her sake," it dumbly murmured, and Rowland resumed his argument.

"I don't know what I would n't do," he said, "rather than that Miss Garland should suffer." "There is one thing to be said," Roderick answered reflectively.

"She is very strong." "Well, then, if she 's strong, believe that with a longer chance, a better chance, she will still regain your affection." "Do you know what you ask ?" cried Roderick.