He meant much more than he said; he meant that she had lowered herself, and she was sure that he would not 'answer' for her now.

On the contrary, it was his intention to let her know that he no longer believed in her, and perhaps no longer respected or trusted her.

Yet, little by little, during their last separation, his belief in her, and his respect for her, had grown in her estimation, because they alone still connected her with the maidenliness and feminine refinement in which she had grown up.

Lushington had broken a link that had been strong.
She was at one of the cross-roads of her life; she was at a turning point in the labyrinth, after passing which it would be hard to come back and find the right way.

Perhaps old Griggs could help her if it occurred to him; but that was unlikely, for he had reached the age when men who have seen much take people as they find them.