"I don't know whether I ought to tell you to sit down," she said.

"It is too late to begin a visit." "It 's too early to end one," Acton declared; "and we need n't mind the beginning." She looked at him again, and, after a moment, dropped once more into her low chair, while he took a place near her.

"We are in the middle, then ?" she asked.

"Was that where we were when you went away?
No, I have n't been to the other house." "Not yesterday, nor the day before, eh ?" "I don't know how many days it is." "You are tired of it," said Acton.
She leaned back in her chair; her arms were folded.

"That is a terrible accusation, but I have not the courage to defend myself." "I am not attacking you," said Acton.