They stood and faced each other in a silence that seemed to ring with the menace of near event. He was the first to break it.
“Now perhaps you will tell me where you are going, Betty?” He held his voice on a note of politeness, but it was nevertheless sternly compelling.
Her eyes sought the carpet. Her bosom heaved deeply through a long moment where there was no sound save the suddenly perceived loud ticking of the clock upon the mantelpiece. Then, on the wave of a resolve, she lifted her head, confronted him proudly.
“I am going to leave you, Jack!” It was evident that she had to fight to keep her voice from breaking. “I—I have had enough of it!”
His ejaculation was characteristic.
“My dear!—You must be mad!”
An answering anger came into her eyes.
“Mad or not—I mean it!”
“Leave Maisie?” he cried incredulously.