"Don't say that," he interrupted.
"But it's true," she insisted. "That's why I must go away from here at once!"
"Yes, but how—how?" he demanded.
"I don't know."
There was a deep silence. Neither spoke. Helpless, crushed by the law's heavy hand, with hardly a ray of hope ahead, both sat stunned by the calamity which had overtaken them. All at once their reverie was disturbed by the sound of approaching footsteps. The big door opened and Collins appeared. Addressing the lawyer, the old waiter said:
"There's a gentleman in the visitors' room—a Mr. Chase, sir. He's come up from New York specially to see you, sir. When I told him you were talking with the young lady—he—he made me promise him to bring him to see her, too. He has no permit, but I've waited on him scores of times at Del's, and he was always so liberal, that I couldn't refuse him. Shall I bring him here, sir? And would you mind taking the responsibility—if any question is raised?"
Paula rose, a flush of pleasure reddening her pale cheeks.
"Oh, please, Mr. Ricaby, I do so want to see him," she cried.
"I had better see him alone, Paula," objected the lawyer.