"But I’ve thought of him! I’ve been haunted by that little son—yours and mine. Oh, Angelica, don’t, don’t for God’s sake, turn away from me! Polly will set me free, and I’ll marry you and we will have our child again."
She felt as if she were sinking in a whirlpool. An intolerable pity for this man confused her, overwhelmed her.
Her troubled glance, leaving his beloved face, fell upon the ridiculous peacock with its jaunty little paper hat—fit image for her nightmare; and a little trickle of cold, sane daylight began to filter into her darkened and suffering mind.
"Angelica! Let us begin again, you and I and our little son——”
"No!" she cried in a ringing voice. "No!"
His face fell. He looked at her, startled.
"No!" she said again. "I’d never believe you—not a word you said. I won’t forget! I’ll never forget, and I’ll never forgive what you’ve done. You’re a liar! You’re a beast! I hate you!"
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
I
Angelica was working in the back parlour the next afternoon with Sillon when Devery brought her in a letter. She smiled ironically and tucked it into her blouse, for she knew the writing.