"Then to change the subject," he said. "In our brief conversation the other day we arrived at no conclusion whatever, nor was your letter any more satisfactory; will you tell me exactly what you have decided upon?"
A sudden flash of anger leaped into her eyes above all the suffering that dilated them.
"Now you are talking naturally," she said, "now you are your real self!"
He bowed in graceful, almost insulting mockery.
"It is your turn to pay compliments," he answered; "but I shall not receive them so ungraciously as you did mine."
She passed her hand across her throat as if something were choking her, then she said in a hard, measured tone:
"Have you considered the proposition I made you—will you go away from this country, and remain away for ever?"
He stood playing with his watchchain in an easy, careless way, as he replied:
"It is cruel to banish me—very cruel!"
"Listen!" she exclaimed passionately; "I know more than you think—your residence here is not safe!"