“Yes—unfortunately.”
“But surely—” he began. “You’re not going to—to do it.”
“Yes, Mauney,” she said, “I’m going to be his wife. Will you let me explain?”
He stared at her mystified.
“Remember me for one virtue, will you?” she asked, as she turned to fondle his coat lapels.
“Remember that I never deceived you. How can I tell you? Last night,” she continued in a lower tone, as her eyes shifted to the pine branches beyond the window, “I couldn’t have been quite myself. I tried to fight against my feelings, but I was crazy with regret, and weak.”
“But, Freda.”
“Sometime,” she interrupted. “You may be able to understand. I’m afraid you couldn’t now.”
“But think,” he said. “You can break your promise. You must!” He drew her impetuously to him.