“Not that. To move on. Isn’t that what you’ve been saying, what this talk is all about?”

“And you won’t marry me? You won’t change your mind?”

“No, Flavia, I won’t change my mind.”

She said, “It’s the Manor, isn’t it? It isn’t another woman who’s come between us, it’s this house. You’ve never made love to me here, ever, have you? You don’t want me here. Not permanently. Not as your wife.”

“Flavia, that’s ridiculous. I’m not looking for a chatelaine.”

“If you lived in London, in the Barbican flat, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. We could be happy there. But here at the Manor I don’t belong, I can see it in your eyes. Everything about this place is against me. And don’t think that the people here don’t know that we’re lovers—Helena, Lettie, the Bostocks, even Mog. They’re probably wondering when you’re going to chuck me. And if you do, I’ll have to endure the humiliation of their pity. I’m asking you again, will you marry me?”

“No, Flavia. I’m sorry, but I won’t. We wouldn’t be happy, and I’m not going to risk a second failure. You have to accept that this is the end.”

And suddenly, to his horror, she was crying. She grasped his jacket and leaned against him and he could hear the great gasping sobs, feel the pulse of her body against him, the soft wool of her scarf brushing his cheek, sense the familiar smell of her, of her breath. Taking her by the shoulders, he said, “Flavia, don’t cry. This is a liberation. I’m setting you free.”

She drew apart, making a pathetic attempt at dignity. Controlling her sobs, she said, “It’ll look odd if I just disappear, and there’s Mrs. Skeffington to be operated on tomorrow, Miss Gradwyn here to be cared for. So I’ll stay until you leave for the Christmas break, but when you return I won’t be here. But promise me one thing. I’ve never asked for anything, have I? Your presents on birthdays and Christmases were chosen by your secretary or posted from a shop, I always knew that. Come to me tonight, come to my room. It’ll be for the first and last time, I promise. Come late, about eleven. It can’t end like this.”

And now he was desperate to get rid of her. He said, “Of course I’ll come.”