"Why shouldn't I go to see Mrs. Dobrée?" she asked again.
I felt that it was necessary to secure Olivia, and to gain this end I must be firm. But the poor creature looked miserable and unhappy, and I could not be harsh toward her.
"Come, Mrs. Foster," I said, "let us talk reasonably together. You know as as well as I do you have no claim upon my wife; and I cannot have her disturbed and distressed by seeing you; I wish her to forget all the past. Did I not fulfil my promise to Foster? Did I not do all I could for him?"
"Yes," she answered, sobbing, "I know you did all you could to save my husband's life."
"Without fee?" I said.
"Certainly. We were too poor to pay you."
"Give me my fee now, then," I replied. "Promise me to leave Olivia alone. Keep away from this street, and do not thrust yourself upon her at any time. If you meet by accident, that will be no fault of yours. I can trust you to keep your promise."
She stood silent and irresolute for a minute. Then she clasped my hand, with a strong grip for a woman's fingers.
"I promise," she said, "for you were very good to him."
She had taken a step or two into the dusk of the evening, when I ran after her for one more word.