The relics of the cornice were utterly worthless as a support.

Rowland had observed this, and yet, for a moment, he had hesitated.

If the thing were possible, he felt a sudden admiring glee at the thought of Roderick's doing it.

It would be finely done, it would be gallant, it would have a sort of masculine eloquence as an answer to Christina's sinister persiflage.

But it was not possible! Rowland left his place with a bound, and scrambled down some neighboring steps, and the next moment a stronger pair of hands than Christina's were laid upon Roderick's shoulder.
He turned, staring, pale and angry.