She is horribly frightened; her nervous demoralisation is complete.

For the first time, I think, she is really terrified.

She says it is hopeless, that her will and nerve are undermined, her courage contaminated....
Hour after hour I sat with her; she made me tell her about her grandfather--about what I knew of the--the taint in her family." "Those things are merely predispositions," he said.

"Self-command makes them harmless." "I told her that.

She says that they are living sparks that will smoulder while life endures." "Suppose they are," he said; "they can never flame unless nursed....
Kathleen, I want to see her----" "She will not." "Has she spoken at all of me ?" "Yes." "Bitterly ?" "Y-yes.