But I must also end the matter there." "Then why should not I end our matter there, Sir?
It seems to me that if in any usual way of life, going about her business honestly, paying her obligations of all sort--even that to her crucifix at night--a woman who is clean wishes to remain clean, to be herself,--why, I say, if that may not be, among men great or small, distinguished or unknown, then most fortunate is she who remains aloof from all chance of that sort of thing.

Sir, I should not like to think that, while I was in my room, for the time removed from the society of the gentlemen who should be my protectors, there was going on, let us say, somewhere in the gentlemen's saloon, a little enterprise at chance in which--" "But, my dear lady, you are mad to speak in this way! Lightning, even lightning of folly, does not strike twice in the same place." "Ah, does it not?
But it has!" "What can you mean?
Surely you do not mean actually to say that you yourself ever have figured in such an incident ?" She made no answer to him, save to look straight into his eyes, chin in hand still, her long white arm lying out, motionless, her posture free of nervous strain or unrest.

Slowly her lips parted, showing her fine white teeth in a half smile.

Her eyes smiled also, with wisdom in their look.
The venerable statesman opposed to her all at once felt his resources going.

He knew that his quest was over, that this young woman was after all able to fend for herself.
"What would you do ?" she demanded of him.