"Why should I have influence?" she asked. "What have I
ever done to put him under an obligation to me?"
"You refused to marry him," said Osmond with his eyes on his book.
"I must not presume too much on that," she replied.
He threw down the book presently and got up, standing before the
fire with his hands behind him. "Well, I hold that it lies in your
hands. I shall leave it there. With a little good-will you may
manage it. Think that over and remember how much I count on you." He
waited a little, to give her time to answer; but she answered nothing,
and he presently strolled out of the room.
CHAPTER 42
She had answered nothing because his words had put the situation
before her and she was absorbed in looking at it. There was
something in them that suddenly made vibrations deep, so that she
had been afraid to trust herself to speak. After he had gone she
leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes; and for a long time, far
into the night and still further, she sat in the still drawing-room,
given up to her meditation. A servant came in to attend to the fire,
and she bade him bring fresh candles and then go to bed.
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