“Go, go,” was all she had voice to utter.

“And may I see you once more⁠—only once?”

“Yes, yes, anything, only go, go⁠—if you love me!”

He left the room. In another moment she heard the front door close.

“Curtis,” said Laura, when next she saw her husband, “Curtis, you could not⁠—stay with me, that last time. Remember? When we were to go for a drive. Can you spend this evening with me? Just us two, here at home⁠—or I’ll go out with you. I’ll do anything you say.” She looked at him steadily an instant. “It is not⁠—not easy for a woman to ask⁠—for me to ask favours like this. Each time I tell myself it will be the last. I am⁠—you must remember this, Curtis, I am⁠—perhaps I am a little proud. Don’t you see?”

They were at breakfast table again. It was the morning after Laura had given Corthell his dismissal. As she spoke Jadwin brought his hand down upon the table with a bang.