But Anne's tense mind contemplated nothing short of the supreme issue that, for her, was not to be evaded, nor yet to be decided hastily.
"Will you leave me alone," she said, "to think it over?
Will you give me three hours ?" He stared and turned pale; for, this time, he understood.
"Certainly," he said coldly, rising and taking out his watch.

"It's twelve now." "At three, then ?" They met at three o'clock.

Anne had spent one hour of bewilderment out of doors, two hours of hard praying and harder thinking in her room.
Her mind was made up.

However notorious her husband had been, between him and her there was to be no open rupture.

She was not going to leave him, to appeal to him for a separation, to deny him any right.