“Richard, you are mad! You must not do this! You must not, I say!”

“I implore you, Lavinia, not to try to make me change my decision. It is of no use. Nothing you can say will make any difference.”

She flew into a passion, flinging away from him, her good resolutions forgotten.

“You have no right to disgrace me! If you do it, I will never forgive you! I won’t stay with you⁠—I⁠—”

He broke in⁠—this was what he had expected; he must not whine; this was retribution.

“I know. I have faced that.”

She was breathless for a moment. He knew! He had faced it! He had taken her seriously⁠—he always expected her to leave him! Oh, he must indeed be tired of her, and wanted her to go! What was he saying?