"Why?" he stammered. "I thought you loved me?"
"So I do. So I will, if you'll stay here and let things go on as they were."
"Haven't I shown you I can't?"
"It can be hushed up."
"No, no!" he cried in despair. "And I can't face people; everybody will know. Lydia, come with me!" He neared her again, stretching out his arms; as she sought to avoid him, he strode to her side and caught her. "Come, come! I can't give you up." He crushed her to him and began kissing her eagerly.
But she resisted with sudden energy. "Let me go! Shall I call the servants?" He released her in astonishment; angrily she moved away from him, smoothing her dress. "I believe you're a fool after all, as Mr. Ellis said."
"Lydia!"
"I am Mrs. Harmon," she returned. "If you won't make a fight for yourself, you're not the man I thought you. Go away, then, but not with me."
"Then you don't love me?"
"Boy!" she said, growing scornful. "Love? What is love but convenience?"