“Do you know that your abandonment of will puts us both in an
extraordinary position?”
“Yes.” She went on presently, “But I know, too, that where you’re
concerned my will-power has left me.”
“But that isn’t like you.”
She shook her head.
“No, it isn’t. Generally my will is rather strong. But in this case— You
see—I’d—I’d waited so long—and I’d never believed that you—that you cared
anything—and now that I know you do—well, it’s simply made me helpless.
I’ve—I’ve no will at all.”
“So that I must have enough for two?”
“I suppose so.”
“And if I—if I carry you off—and make every one unhappy—and put you in a
position where you’d be—where you’d be done for—that’s what Annette calls
it—the responsibility would be all mine?”
“I should never reproach you.”
“In words.”
“Nor in thought—if I could help it.”
“But you mightn’t be able to help it.”
To this there was no reply. I took another turn to the end of the room.
My freedom of action was terrifying. Since I could do with her what I
liked, I was afraid to do anything. I came back and said so.
The old Regina woke as she murmured, “If you’re afraid to do anything—do
nothing.”
“And what would you do?”
“I should let things take their course.”
“Let things take their course—and marry him?”
“If things took their course that way.”
“Do you mean that they mightn’t take their course that way?”
“I’m not married to him yet. There are—there are difficulties.”