He evaded her appeal by a sudden turn. "What WERE your
reasons for waiting?"

Anna did not immediately answer. Her step-son's eyes were
on her face, and under his gaze she felt a faint
disquietude.

"I was feeling my way...I wanted to be absolutely sure..."

"Absolutely sure of what?"

She delayed again for a just perceptible instant. "Why,
simply of OUR side of the case."

"But you told me you were, the other day, when we talked it
over before they came back from Ouchy."

"Oh, my dear--if you think that, in such a complicated
matter, every day, every hour, doesn't more or less modify
one's surest sureness!"

"That's just what I'm driving at. I want to know what has
modified yours."

She made a slight gesture of impatience. "What does it
matter, now the thing's done? I don't know that I could give
any clear reason..."

He got to his feet and stood looking down on her with a