After a long look he passed his hand across his face.
"I hope you haven't thought--you didn't think I should let them bring you into it." He spoke as though this were something due her; that she was entitled to his reassurance that the threatened cataclysm should not drag her down with him.

When she made no reply he seemed to feel that he had not made himself clear, and he repeated, in other terms, that she need not be concerned for the outcome; that he meant to shield her.
"Yes; I supposed you would do that; I had expected that." "And," he went on, as though to anticipate her, to eliminate the necessity for her further explanations, "you have a right to ask what you please.

Or we can meet again to arrange matters.

I am prepared to satisfy your demands in the fullest sense." His embarrassment had passed.

She had sought the interview, but he had taken charge of it.