‘What about my art —­ my career?’

‘It is for me to ask that question,’ replied Harvey, gazing steadfastly at her.

‘You don’t mean that it would all necessarily come to an end.’

’Why?  I mean what I say when I speak of sharing liberty.  Heaven forbid that I should put an end to any aim or hope of yours —­ to anything that is part of yourself.  I want you to be yourself.  Many people nowadays revolt against marriage because it generally means bondage, and they have much to say for themselves.  If I had been condemned to a wearisome occupation and a very small income, I’m sure I should never have asked anyone to marry me; I don’t think it fair.  It may seem to you that I haven’t much right to call myself an independent man as it is ——­’

Alma broke in, impatiently.

‘Don’t speak of money?  You have enough —­ more than enough.’

’So it seems to me.  You are afraid this might prevent you from becoming a professional musician?’

‘I know it would,’ she answered with quiet decision.

’I should never dream of putting obstacles in your way.  Do understand and believe me.  I don’t want to shape you to any model of my own; I want you to be your true self, and live the life you are meant for.’

’All the same, you would rather I did not become a professional musician.  Now, be honest with me!  Be honest before everything.  You needn’t answer, I know it well enough; and if I marry you, I give up my music.’

Rolfe scrutinised her face, observed the tremulous mouth, the nervous eyelid.

‘Then,’ he said, ‘it will be better for you not to marry me.’

And silence fell upon the room, a silence in which Harvey could hear a deep-drawn breath and the rustle of silk.  He was surprised by a voice in quite a new tone, softly melodious.

‘You give me up very easily.’

‘Not more easily than you give up your music.’

’There’s a difference.  Do you remember what we were saying, last Wednesday, about simplicity of living?’

‘Last Wednesday?  It seems a month ago.  Yes, I remember.’

’I have thought a good deal of that.  I feel how vulgar the life is that most people lead.  They can’t help it; they think it impossible to do anything else.  But I should like to break away from it altogether —­ to live as I chose, and not care a bit what other people said.’

Harvey had the same difficulty as before in attaching much significance to these phrases.  They were pleasant to hear, for they chimed with his own thoughts, but he could not respond with great seriousness.

‘The wife of a man with my income won’t have much choice, I fancy.’

‘How can you say that?’ exclaimed Alma.  ’You know that most people would take a house in a good part of London, and live up to the last penny —­ making everyone think that their income must be two or three thousand pounds.  I know all about that kind of thing, and it sickens me.  There’s the choice between vulgar display with worry, and a simple, refined life with perfect comfort.  You fancied I should want a house in London?’