"No—no! But even if he doesn't—" she clasped her hands hard together—"Burke, even if he doesn't—and even though he has disappointed you—wronged you—oh, have you no pity? Can't you—possibly—forgive?"
He turned abruptly and faced her. "Forgive him for making love to you?" he said. "Is that what you are asking?"
She shivered at the question. "At least you won't—punish him like that—whatever he has done," she said.
He was looking full at her. "You want my promise on that?" he said.
"Yes, oh yes." Very earnestly she made reply though his eyes were as points of steel, keeping her back. "I know you will keep a promise. Please—promise me that!"
"Yes," he said drily. "I keep my promises. He can testify to that. So can you. But if I promise you this, you must make me a promise too."
"What is it?" she said.
"Simply that you will never have anything more to do with him without my knowledge—and consent." He uttered the words with the same pitiless distinctness as had characterized his speech when dictating to Kieff.
She drew sharply. "Oh, but why—why ask such a promise of me when you have only just proved your own belief in me?"
"How have I done that?" he said.