from a principle."

"What are principles against love?" Helen demanded, almost fiercely.
"A sister may prate about them, Philippa. A wife couldn't. I'd
sacrifice every principle I ever had, every scrap of self-respect,
myself and all that belongs to me, to save Dick's life!"

There was a brief, throbbing silence. Helen was feverishly clutching
Philippa's hand. Lessingham's eyes were fixed upon the tortured face
into which he gazed. There were no women like this in his own
country.

"Dear lady," he said, and for the first time his own voice shook,
"I abandon my arguments. I beg you to act as you think best for
your own future happiness. The chances of life or death are not
great things for either men like your brother or for me. I would
not purchase my end, nor he his life, at the expense of your
suffering. You see, I stand on one side. The telephone is there
for your use."

"You shan't use it!" Helen cried passionately. "Phillipa, you
shan't!"

Philippa turned towards her, and all the stubborn pride had gone
out of her face. Her great eyes were misty with tears, her mouth
was twitching with emotion. She threw her arms around Helen's neck.

"My dear, I can't! I can't!" she sobbed.