“Possibly not. Nobody can judge, but—this affair has been almost inevitable. It wasn’t your fault and it wasn’t Andree’s fault.... The circumstances were here, and you two got tangled up in them....” She glanced at her watch. “I must go now. I’m sorry I haven’t helped you—for—I wish I might help you.... Shall I see you again before you go?”
“I’m afraid not.”
“Then this is good-by.” She held out her hand steadily. “I hope matters turn out for—for your happiness.... Good-by.”
“I shall write you.”
She looked at him and smiled queerly, but made no rejoinder. “No, don’t come with me,” she said, as he walked to the door. “I’d rather go alone.... Good-by and a safe voyage.”
And so the first of the two women with whom his life had become involved stepped out of his life....
CHAPTER XXVI
When Kendall went to the apartment for dinner Arlette came bustling into the hall as she heard him open the door, and, poking again and again with a pudgy finger toward the rear of the place, she exclaimed, excitedly: “Monsieur Bert!... Monsieur Bert!...”
“Here?”
“Oui, monsieur.” She grinned with delight.