"I have to assume that my wife is insane; and I shall look after her
till she comes to her senses."
She sat watching him for a few moments, wondering at him. Then she
said, "You are willing to stay on here, day after day, pursuing me
in the only refuge I have. Well then, I shall not consider your
feelings. I have a work to do here--and I think that when I begin
it, you will want to be far away."
"What do you mean?" he asked--and he looked at her as if she were
really a maniac.
"You see my sister Celeste is about to marry. That was the wonderful
news she had to tell me at the depot. It happens that I have known
Roger Peyton all my life, and know he has the reputation of being
one of the 'fastest' boys in the town."
"Well?" he asked.
"Just this, Douglas--I do not intend to leave my sister unprotected
as I was. I am going to tell her about Elaine. I am going to tell
her all that she needs to know. It is bound to mean arguments with
the old people, and in the end the whole family will be discussing
the subject. I feel sure you will not care to be here under such
circumstances."
"And may I ask when this begins?" he inquired, with intense
bitterness in his tone.
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