“If I’m crazy there’s every excuse for me,” answered she, with the placidity of the anger that is beyond the stage of bluster and sputter. “If I’m not crazy there’s no excuse for you.”
“Answer me! Are you going to be sensible? Are you ready to drop tomfoolery and make a happy and contented future for yourself?”
“If I can,” replied she. “If Roger will——”
Up sprang Richmond. “Not another word! I’ll show you, miss——”
“Yes, one word more,” interrupted she. “I want to say just one thing more. If you do not agree to let Peter and Mr. Wade alone I shall leave your house at once—and this time it will be for good.”
“You—threaten me!” he shouted, shaking with fury, for that sense of ultimate powerlessness with her had driven him quite insane.
“Do you wish me to stay or to go?” asked she, her color gone, but every sign of steadfastness in her face, in her figure, in her attitude.
“Go!” he shrieked. “Go—and make a fool and a scandal of yourself. Go! Go! Go!”
And away he rushed, a crazy man.