He felt it as a fetter, an encumbrance, something which made them both, but him in particular, ridiculous.

He was in her power completely, but his eyes were open and he was no longer her slave or her dupe.

He would be her master in future.

The instant prolonged itself as Katharine realized the strength of her desire to speak the words that should keep William for ever, and the baseness of the temptation which assailed her to make the movement, or speak the word, which he had often begged her for, which she was now near enough to feeling.

She held the letter in her hand.