The Heat of the Day

Stella returns to London, and Robert meets her at the train station. His sister, Ernestine, has unexpectedly arrived and accompanies him. After they drop Ernestine at a friend’s house, Robert and Stella are awkward with each other as they continue to drive. She eventually confronts him about Harrison’s claim that he has been passing information to the enemy. He asks why she didn’t mention it sooner, and she can’t speak. She then asks again, “it isn’t true, is it?” (211). He replies that it is inconceivable that she would ask him, and that he is not. She apologizes, suggesting that “[o]ne can live in the shadow of an idea without grasping it” (214). He says she hasn’t “shown any great patriotic fervor” (214) if she did believe Harrison’s claim, as she took no action.

They have dinner and discuss her trip to Mount Morris. She mentions having imagined Roderick there with his wife in the future. In response, Robert asks why he and Stella shouldn’t marry. She first asks why they would, since it would be a hassle, then thinks about the fact that Roderick would like it. He presses her about whether she’ll marry him; she says he hasn’t given her time to think.