"That is for you to say. But if you do go, remember that it is of your own volition. I want you to stay—you understand?"
She made no answer and he went on:
"One thing is certain. You can't think very much of me, or you couldn't even think of leaving me like this—"
"It is because I do love you," she cried hysterically, "that I must leave you. You don't understand that now but, oh! how I hope that some day you will. Good-bye!"
She went toward the dressing table as if to get her hat and coat. He halted her with a gesture.
"Just a minute, dear."
She stopped.
"Well?"
Approaching her, he said kindly:
"You are doing a very foolish thing."