"He doesn't. Are you a damn fool, or are you only pretending?"
"I daresay I'm a damn fool," repeated Marise sweetly. "In any case, I'm not pretending."
"Then you're doubly a fool!" shrilled Zélie. "A damned fool not to know how Jack feels for you, and a damneder one not to know enough to feel right towards him. Jack's the salt of the earth. There's more courage and good faith and everything noble and big in his little finger than in your whole lovely body. So now you can go home. And put that in your pocket!"
Marise went. She shut the door softly, so softly and considerately that it hurt worse than a loud slam.
"I did get even with her!" Zélie thought. And plumped down on the sofa with a sob.
CHAPTER XXXVIII
WHEN SEVERANCE THREW DOWN THE KEY
Not far from the door of Zélie Marks's room another door stood open. Marise would have whirled past it without noticing, had not her name been called.
She turned her head, with a slight start, and saw Severance.