"Why, we are delighted that you are with us!" she answered.
He was anything but satisfied with this; it seemed to imply that she had
forgotten that she had solemnly asked him to come. He reminded her
of her request, and recalled the place and time. "That evening on the
terrace, late, after Mrs. Hudson had gone to bed, and Roderick being
absent."
She perfectly remembered, but the memory seemed to trouble her. "I am
afraid your kindness has been a great charge upon you," she said. "You
wanted very much to do something else."
"I wanted above all things to oblige you, and I made no sacrifice. But
if I had made an immense one, it would be more than made up to me by any
assurance that I have helped Roderick into a better mood."
She was silent a moment, and then, "Why do you ask me?" she said. "You
are able to judge quite as well as I."
Rowland blushed; he desired to justify himself in the most veracious
manner. "The truth is," he said, "that I am 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 happiness.
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