He said, 'Yes, I obey the law, Ann, but this should be labelled 'an act to exasperate the North.' I am done with the Democrat and all his ways.

Obey the law! Yes, I was a soldier.' Then he said, 'Ann, we must never talk politics again.' We never do." "And yet, Ann," said Grey, "that act was needed." "Perhaps," she returned, and then followed a long silence, as with thought of James Penhallow she sat smiling in the darkness and watched the rare wandering lanterns of the belated fireflies.
The man at her side was troubled into unnatural silence.

He had hoped to find an ally in his cousin's husband, and now what should he do?
He had concluded that as an honest man he had done his duty when he had written to Woodburn; but now as a man of honour what should he say to James Penhallow?
To conceal from his host what he had done was the obvious business-like course.

This troubled a man who was usually able to see his way straight on all matters of social conduct and was sensitive on points of honour.

While Ann sat still and wondered that her guest was so long silent, he was finding altogether unpleasant his conclusion that he must be frank with Penhallow.