"I'm nervous, I think. I have not yet quite recovered from the wreck."
He looked at her, trying to read her innermost thoughts. She met his gaze unflinchingly.
"Is that the reason, or is there another?" Drawing her gently to him, he said:
"You are unhappy— I know you are—— You are allowing your pride to stand in the way of your happiness. I have no right to blame you. You are free to do as you think is right. Only I am sorry for you—sorrier for you than I am for myself. Good-by. May God bless and protect you. Just one kind word, one smile before I go. We may never see each other again."
His voice trembled and grew husky. Manlike, he was ashamed of showing emotion; he was anxious to get away before he lost control of himself. He left her standing there, took his hat and gloves and went toward the door. She stood motionless watching him going, powerless to utter the word that would stay him. The color left her face. She grew ashen pale. Her entire being trembled with suppressed emotion.
At the door he turned round for the last time.
"Good-by—God bless you!" he said.
"Wait—just a moment—just a moment!" she cried desperately.
The spell seemed broken. She made a movement forward, her hand outstretched. There was a wild look of mute appeal in her eyes.
"You are going alone," she demanded, her breath coming and going in quick spasmodic gasps.