“Out of defiance,” cried Geoffrey.
“But that is past now. Try and make an effort to crush this wretched scandal upon your name. It is a duty, Geoffrey.”
“That I will not do,” he said, stubbornly.
“And Rhoda?” said the vicar, softly.
Geoffrey started as if stung.
“Let her wait too,” he said, angrily. “When she humbles herself and asks my pardon she shall have it, and with it my farewell words. Lee, I loved that woman as strongly as man could love, but that love is dead.”
They stood together now in silence for a few moments. Then Geoffrey turned to go.
“I’ll drop in on you some day, Lee,” he said, in his usual light tone. “Good-by, old fellow. I think we understand each other now.”
“I’ll come with you,” said the vicar, quietly.
“Come with me, where?”