Page:The Novels and Tales of Henry James, Volume 1 (New York, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1907).djvu/513

 by any assurance that I 've helped Roderick to better conditions."

She was silent a while, and then, "Why do you ask me?" she said. "You 're able to judge quite as well as I."

Rowland cast about him; he desired to justify himself in the most veracious manner. "The truth is I 'm afraid I care only in the second place for Roderick's holding up his head. What I care for in the first place is your tranquillity and security."

"I don't know why that should be," she returned: "I 've certainly done nothing to make you so much my friend. If you were to tell me you intend to leave us to-morrow I 'm afraid that I should n't venture to ask you to stay. But whether you go or stay, let us not talk of Roderick."

"Then that," said Rowland, "doesn't answer my question. Is he better?"

"No!" she brought out, and turned away.

He was careful not to tell her he intended to leave them.