"Philippa, you will not hesitate? You cannot?"
"I must," Philippa answered, struggling with her agitation. "I love
Dick more dearly than anything else on earth, but just now, Helen,
we have to remember, before everything, that we are English women.
We have to put our human feelings behind us. We are learning every
day to make sacrifices. You, too, must learn, dear. My answer to
you, Baron Maderstrom--or Mr. Lessingham, as you choose to call
yourself--is no."
"Philippa, you are mad!" Helen exclaimed passionately. "Didn't I
have to realise all that you say when I let Dick go, cheerfully,
the day after we were engaged? Haven't I realised the duty of
cheerfulness and sacrifice through all these weary months? But
there is a limit to these things, Philippa, a sense of proportion
which must be taken into account. It's Dick's life which is in
the balance against some intangible thing, nothing that we could
ever reproach ourselves with, nothing that could bring real harm
upon any one. Oh, I love my country, too, but I want Dick! I
should feel like his murderess all my life, if I didn't consent!"
"It occurs to me," Lessingham remarked, turning towards Philippa,
"that Miss Fairclough's point of view is one to be considered."
"Doesn't all that Miss Fairclough has said apply to me?" Philippa
demanded, with a little break in her voice.
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