He had reason to congratulate himself already: he had shifted to other shoulders the pecuniary responsibility involved in the failure of his Song.

Observing Mrs.
Gallilee, he began to see possibilities of a brighter prospect still.
Thus far she had kept him at a certain distance.

Was the change of mind coming, which would admit him to the position (with all its solid advantages) of a confidential friend?
She suddenly took up Father Patrizio's letter, and showed it to him.
"What impression does it produce on you," she asked, "knowing no more than you know now ?" "The priest's cautious language, madam, speaks for itself.

You have an enemy who will stick at nothing." She still hesitated to trust him.
"You see me here," she went on, "confined to my room; likely, perhaps, to be in this helpless condition for some time to come.

How would you protect yourself against that woman, in my place ?" "I should wait." "For what purpose ?" "If you will allow me to use the language of the card-table, I should wait till the woman shows her hand." "She _has_ shown it." "May I ask when ?" "This morning." Mr.Le Frank said no more.