Stafford sank down on the seat and sat there for a moment without speaking. Claudia was awed at the look on his face.
"Don't look like that!" she cried. "You look like a man lost."
"Yes, lost!" he echoed. "All lost—all lost—and for nothing!"
Silence followed for a long time. Then he roused himself, and looked at her. Claudia's eyes were full of tears.
"It's not your fault, my sweet lady," he said gently. "You are pure and bright and beautiful, as you ever were, and I have raved and frightened you. Well, I will go."
"Go where?"
"Where? I don't know yet."
"I am so very, very sorry. But you must try—you must forget about it."
He smiled.
"Yes, I must forget about it."