'What does this mean?' Montgomery said, speaking very slowly.

Neither answered. The man sought for words; the woman walked about the room
swinging herself; and as she passed before him Montgomery stopped her and
begged for an explanation. She gave him a swift look of grief, and breaking
away from him, shut herself in the bedroom.

'What does this mean?'

Dick looked round vaguely, astonished at the authoritative way the question
was put, but without inquiring he answered:

'That's what I want to know. I never saw anything like it in my life. We
were speaking of being married, when suddenly Kate accused me of insulting
her religion, and then--well, I don't remember any more. She fell into such
a passion--you saw it yourself.'

'Did you say you wouldn't marry her?'

'No, on the contrary. I can't make it out. For the last month her caprices,
fancies, and jealousies have been something awful!'

Montgomery made a movement as if he were going to reply, but checking
himself, he remained silent. His face then assumed the settled appearance
of one who is inwardly examining the different sides of a complex question.
At last he said:

'Let's come out for a walk, Dick, and we'll talk the matter over.'