But Ascott asked so many questions that his aunt needed to ask none.

She only listened, and tried to take all in, and understand it, that is, in a consecutive, intelligent, business shape, without feeling it.

She dared not let herself feel it, not for a second, till they were out, arm-in-arm, under the quiet winter stars.

Then she heard his voice asking her, "So you think I was right ?" "Right ?" she echoed mechanically.
"I mean in accepting that sudden chance, and changing my whole plan of life.

I did not do it--believe me--without a motive." "What motive ?" she would once unhesitatingly have asked; now she could not.
Robert Lyon continued speaking, distinctly and yet in an undertone, that though Ascott was walking a few yards off, Hilary felt was meant for her alone to hear.
"The change is, you perceive, from the life of a student to that of a man of business.