“No! Don’t adopt such an attitude! Now you are acting the part of a resigned victim! You must act according to your own free will and pleasure. I think I have proved to your satisfaction that you are turning your back on the right path, and that it is time to turn round. Am I not right?”
“One is never right when one is the stronger!”
“That is a woman’s reply. Well, Sophia, I am very sorry, but I will not assume this advantage of imposing on you any resolution whatever. I leave you free to do as you wish. Stay or go as you like. For my part, I must go; I do not feel inclined to let myself be caught in this house like a fox in a poultry-yard. I will give you ten minutes while you make up your mind and prepare your luggage. I will smoke a cigarette in the garden. Decide your future for yourself.”
He left the room. A flash of hate shone in Sophia’s eyes. She arose, gave a sigh of despair, and then murmured—
“He is right!”
She called for Milona. The servant appeared.
“The trunk at once. We are leaving,” she said briefly.
“Good, madame.”
Sophia sat down before a small desk, took up a sheet of writing-paper edged with black, and wrote—
“When you return to the villa I shall no longer be here to receive you. My brother, to whom I have been denounced by some person unknown, has arrived in a passion, and is taking me far away. Never try to see me again. Keep the remembrance of my kisses ever fresh in your heart. I am carrying off the delicious flavour of yours on my lips. Good-bye.
“Yours with life-long regret,
“ANETTA.”