"I do, I do!" he hurriedly exclaimed; "yes, Hester, I love you .... but .... how shall I tell it you? .... We must forget this .... we must meet no more...."
"Not meet, when you love me? Impossible! The whole world shall not separate us."
"It is the world which will separate us."
"What .... your wife!" she said scornfully, almost savagely.
"Alas!"
"I recognise no barrier in a wife. I scorn the whole system of marriage..... It is iniquitous! Two hearts that love to be separated by a sophism of convention! If you love her, keep to her. If you love me, you are mine." Hester rose from the sofa as she spoke: her whole frame trembled with passion.
Cecil remained seated; his eyes fixed on the ground, in a helpless state of irresolution.
"Cecil, one word—and but one. Are you afraid of the idle gossip of the world, and are your instincts cowed at it?"
"Hester! I feel, Hester, we must part for ever."
"Then you love me not?"