“You think you would. That’s what the girls say in the novels. This is the real thing. You are dealing with a man who will stand at nothing. Believe me or not, Miss Noelson, I have tried to protect you. I can only go so far. If Larry Hughes takes the bit between his teeth⁠—and he will sooner or later⁠—there is nothing that can stop him. Take an older woman’s advice, my dear. Marry him.”

Penelope tilted her head defiantly. She had tried again and again to reach some point of intimate converse with this woman only to be met by polite formulas. Sophie Lengholm had adopted something of the neutral attitude of a warder towards a prisoner. She had confined herself to making the girl comfortable, and to seeing that she did not escape. Now, however, Penelope thought that she had penetrated her reserve.

“We are both women, Mrs. Lengholm. I don’t know what hold this man has on you, but you wouldn’t allow⁠—”