And so we
just had it. We were polite but furious when I went. I shall never go near
her again."
"But, unfortunately, we have stopped. We had to do it. We could accomplish
nothing."
"Oh, it doesn't matter. What angered me was her insinuation."
"That was irritating. But, tell me, what if it had been true?" Howard's
voice was strained and he was looking at her eagerly, with fever in his
eyes.
"But it couldn't be. It isn't worth while imagining. You could not be a
coward and a traitor." So complete was her confidence in him that suspicion
of him was impossible.
"Would you sit in judgment on me?"
"Not if I could help it."
"But you can--you could help it." His manner was agitated, and he spoke
almost fiercely. "I am free," he went on, and as she watched his eyes she
understood why men feared him. "I do what I will. I am not accountable to
you, not even to you. I have never asked you to approve of me, to approve
what I do, to love me. You are free also, free to love, free to withdraw
your love. I follow the law of my own being. You must take me as you find
me or not at all."
She tried to stop him but could not. His words poured on. He leaned forward
and took her hand and his eyes were brilliant and piercing. "I love you,"
he said.
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