Karen gazed at him. "You will still believe that she is tyrannous, and dangerous, and false, whatever I may say?"
"Yes, Karen. I know it sounds horrible to you. You must try to forgive me for it. We won't speak of it again; I promise you."
She turned from him, looking before her at the Bouddha, but not as if she saw it. "We shall never speak of it again," she said. "I am going to leave you, Gregory."
For a moment he stared at her. Then he smiled. "You mustn't punish me for telling you the truth, Karen, by silly threats."
"I do not punish you. You have done rightly to tell me the truth. But I cannot live with a man who believes these things."
She still gazed at the Bouddha and again Gregory stared at her. His face hardened. "Don't be absurd, Karen. You cannot mean what you say."
"I am going to-night. Now," said Karen.
"Going? Where?"
"To Cornwall, back to my guardian. She will take care of me again. I will not live with you."
"If you really mean what you say," said Gregory, after a moment, "you are telling me that you don't love me. I've suspected it for some time."