"It is true," she said sadly. "Halsey, you must not try to see me
again. As soon as I can, I am going away from here--where you are all
so much kinder than I deserve. And whatever you hear about me, try to
think as well of me as you can. I am going to marry--another man. How
you must hate me--hate me!"
I could hear Halsey cross the room to the window. Then, after a pause,
he went back to her again. I could hardly sit still; I wanted to go in
and give her a good shaking.
"Then it's all over," he was saying with a long breath. "The plans we
made together, the hopes, the--all of it--over! Well, I'll not be a
baby, and I'll give you up the minute you say 'I don't love you and I
do love--some one else'!"
"I can not say that," she breathed, "but, very soon, I shall marry--the
other man."
I could hear Halsey's low triumphant laugh.
"I defy him," he said. "Sweetheart, as long as you care for me, I am
not afraid."
The wind slammed the door between the two rooms just then, and I could
hear nothing more, although I moved my chair quite close. After a
discreet interval, I went into the other room, and found Louise alone.
She was staring with sad eyes at the cherub painted on the ceiling over
the bed, and because she looked tired I did not disturb her.