If the
worst comes, you must strengthen yourself."
Lilian sank upon a chair, and leaned forward with stupefied gaze at
the speaker.
"The danger is," pursued Mrs. Wade, in lower tones, "that he may be
unjust--feel unjustly--as men are wont to. You--in spite of
himself, he may feel that _you_ have been the cause of his failure.
You must be prepared for that; I tell it you in all kindness. If he
again consents to pay Northway, he will be in constant fear. The
sense of servitude will grow intolerable--embarrassing all he
tries to do--all his public and private life. In that case, too,
he _must_ sometimes think of you as in the way of his ambition. A
most difficult task is before you--a duty that will tax all your
powers. You will be equal to it, I have no doubt. Just now you see
everything darkly and hopelessly, but that's because your health has
suffered of late."
"Perhaps this very night," said Lilian, without looking at her
companion, "he will tell people."
"He is more likely to succeed in getting money, and then he will
keep the threat held over you. He seems to have come at this moment
just because he knows that your fear of him will be keenest now.
That will always he his aim--to appear with his threats just when
a disclosure would be hardest to bear. But I suppose Mr. Quarrier
will rather give up everything than submit to this.
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