there should be a row about it, you are sure to be compromised
unless we have managed to guard ourselves. If Warricombe calls, we must talk
about Peak without the least show of restraint. Let it appear that we thought
his choice of a profession unlikely, but not impossible. Happily, we needn't
know anything about that anonymous Critical article. - Indeed, I think I have
acted wisely.«
    Marcella murmured:
    »Yes, I suppose you have.«
    »And, by the way, I have spoken of it to Earwaker. Not of your part in the
story, of course. I told him that I had met a man who knew all about Peak. -
Impossible, you see, for me to keep silence with so intimate a friend.«
    »Then Mr. Earwaker will write to him?« said Marcella, reflectively.
    »I couldn't give him any address.«
    »How does Mr. Warricombe seem to regard Mr. Peak?«
    »With a good deal of interest, and of the friendliest kind. Naturally
enough; they were College friends, as you know, before I had heard of Peak's
existence.«
    »He has no suspicions?«
    Christian thought not, but her brother's judgment had not much weight with
Marcella.
    She at once dreaded and desired Warricombe's appearance. If he thought it
worth while to cultivate her acquaintance, she would henceforth have the
opportunity of studying Peak's relations with the Warricombes; on the other
hand, this was to expose herself to suffering and temptation from which the
better part of her nature shrank with disdain. That she might seem to have
broken the promise voluntarily made to Godwin was a small matter; not so the
risk of being overcome by an ignoble jealousy. She had no overweening confidence
in the steadfastness of her self-respect, if circumstances were all on the side
of sensual impulse. And the longer she brooded on this peril, the more it
allured her. For therewith was connected the one satisfaction which still
remained to her: however little he desired to keep her constantly in mind,
Godwin Peak must of necessity do so after what had passed between them. Had but
her discovery remained her own secret, then the pleasure of commanding her less
pure emotions, of proving to Godwin that she was above the weakness of common
women, might easily have prevailed. Now that her knowledge was shared by others,
she had lost that safeguard against lower motive. The argument that to unmask
hypocrisy was in itself laudable she dismissed with contempt; let that be the