They could hear Charlotte's voice here and there about the house. The Judge rode past the window on Silvernose. But no one interrupted them. Only Joycie came in after a little, to clear away the tea things. She went out with the tray, Dhu following her, and they were alone, once more. Sophy rose as Joycie went out, and herself lighted the lamp on her writing-table.
"Why didn't you ask me to do that?" he said irritably.
"I didn't think," she answered.
Now in the lamplight he could see how very white and tired she looked. His heart softened. He went over impulsively and stood close to her.
"Sophy," he said, "what is it you really want?"
Her answer gushed quick and hot like heart's blood:
"My freedom, Morris!... My freedom ... my freedom!" It was like the breaking of the waters. It poured in a cataract of passionate, breathless words. "Oh, be kind ... be generous, let me go, without haggling ... without bitterness.... We owe it to the past to part as friends. We should be big in this big thing ... get above littleness of every sort. Just because we have made a heart-rending mistake ... why should we be like enemies?... Give me this one memory of you ... clear, great. Something I can remember all beautiful. You owe it to our love, Morris. You owe it to that wonderful dream we dreamt together...."
"Stop ... stop!..." he gasped. "It's like death.... It's worse than death...."
"Oh, my dear!..." she said. "I know.... It's horrible! To me, too, it's horrible.... But let me go ... ah, let me go, and I'll love you with a new love!... It will last ... it will bless you all your life.... Let me go, dear, let me go!..."
He stood shaking. His breath came quick and hard. He was dreadfully near to tears.