“Only I thought it would be a good way to begin a break with Clifford. I do want a child. And it would give me a chance to, to⁠—” she resumed.

“To let them think a few lies,” he said.

“Yes, that among other things. Do you want them to think the truth?”

“I don’t care what they think.”

“I do! I don’t want them handling me with their unpleasant cold minds, not while I’m still at Wragby. They can think what they like when I’m finally gone.”

He was silent.

“But Sir Clifford expects you to come back to him?”

“Oh, I must come back,” she said: and there was silence.

“And would you have a child in Wragby?” he asked.