He was as uneasy in addressing her as Clare had been. He began to speak the moment he entered the room. Agnes interrupted him.
“You have not yet seen Clare,” she said.
“I have not come to see her. It is you whom I have come to see,” said he. “The fact is, my dear Agnes”—
“Go to her,” said Agnes. “Go to her and kiss her; it will be for the last time.”
She spoke almost sorrowfully. He was impressed by the tone.
“For the last time—to-night, you mean to say,” he suggested.
“For the last time on earth!” said she.
“You are mad,” he cried, after a pause, during which he stared at her. “You are mad; you do not know me—you do not know her.”
“You will not go to her?”
“I will not go to her—I will not leave this room until you have told me what you mean by saying these words. You shall tell me what these words mean—if they have any meaning.”