"I can convince him better,"
she thought to herself, "if I'm very quiet and matter-of-fact." So,
speaking very calmly and not looking at him, she went on:
"But, Martin, you promised last time that it would depend on
me . . . You said that if I didn't mind your being married and was
willing to take risks that we would go on together. Well, I've
thought all about it and I know that I'd rather be miserable with
you than happy with any one else. But then I shouldn't be miserable.
You seem to think you could make me miserable just as soon as you
like. But that depends on myself. If I don't want to be miserable
nobody can make me be." She paused. He moved a little closer and
suddenly took her hand.
She drew it away and went on:
"Don't think I'm inexperienced about this, Martin. You say I know
nothing about men. Perhaps I don't. But I know myself. I know what I
want, and I can look after myself. However badly you treated me, it
would be you that I was with all the time."
"No, no, Maggie," he answered, speaking rapidly and as though he
were fiercely protesting against some one. "It isn't that at all.
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