Ellida was walking up to him to put her hands upon his shoulders.
“Yes, dear,” she was beginning, with the note of tenderness in her voice.
“And,” he interrupted her, “you’re the only sister that Katya’s got in the world. If I’ve arranged this marriage it’s for your sake, to keep myself for Katya.”
She gave a little indrawing of the breath:
“Oh, Toto dear,” she said painfully, “is it as bad as that?”
“It’s as bad as that—it’s worse,” he answered.
“Then don’t go,” she pleaded. “Stop away. What’s the use of it?”
“I can’t,” he said numbly. “It’s no use, but I can’t stop away;” and he added in a fierce whisper: “Get your things on quickly; there’s not much time. I can’t answer for what will happen if you’re not there to safeguard Katya’s interests.”
She shivered a little back from him.
“Oh, Toto,” she said, “it’s not that I’m thinking of. It’s you, if you’re in such pain.”