Robert winced when she raised her hand, for despite his big mouth, he was actually quite a coward, and he knew that with this opponent propriety would bar him from fighting back. But Pearl didn't hit him. Instead, it seemed that she was possessed or something. The young man took a step back, taking in a deep breath. Well this was food for either a priest or an alienist, that much was clear.

He shook his coat, as if his very presence here had sullied his garments. "Very well. I can see that you have lost your senses, sister, and that making you see reason is beyond my untrained powers. You are deserving of my pity, not of my anger." He looked at her angry face intently. "But mark me, this business is not finished yet." He did not wait for a reply, but spun on his heel and marched out of the door.