He gave me his hand. "Naturally, monsieur."
His tone touched me.
"Then to to-morrow's work," I said briskly. "Now I am to bed. I must rise early."
Cadillac went with me to the door, his arm on my well shoulder. I saw by the delay in his walk that he had more to say. It came slowly.
"Monsieur, one word. If you do not care to see madame,—if it is awkward—— Well, I can arrange it without gossip. You need not see her again, and no one need know. Leave that to me."
Not see her again! I do not know what savage, insane thing sprang to life in me. I struck down Cadillac's arm.
"You take liberties. You meddle insufferably. She is my wife. I will see her when I please."
I like to think that I was not responsible, that it was the cry of a baited animal that could stand no more. Yet all the torture Cadillac had been giving me had been unconscious. He stepped back and looked at me.
"My God! You fool!"
Oh, I could have knelt to him for shame! My tongue began apology, but my face told a better tale. Cadillac held up his hand.