"So Fran is to be your secretary!" she persisted.
"Grace, you have read my heart, I have read yours; we thought we could associate in safety, after that—but I am weak. You never come into the room that I am not thrilled with rapture. Life hasn't any brightness for me except your presence. What can I do but protect you?"
"Mr. Gregory, Fran hasn't any interest in your work."
"I love you, Grace—I adore you. Beautiful darling—don't you see you must go away because you are so inexpressibly precious to me? That's why I mustn't have you under my roof." He sank upon his knees and caught her hand. "See me at your feet—should this thing be?"
Grace coldly withdrew her hand. "In spite of all you say, you have engaged Fran in my place."
"No one can take your place, dear."
Grace's voice suddenly vibrated: "You tell me you love me, yet you agree to hire that woman, in my place—the woman I hate, I tell you; yes, the spy, the enemy of this home."
"Yes, Grace, I do tell you that I love you—would I be kneeling here worshiping you, otherwise? And what is more, you know that you love me—you know it. That's why I must send you away."
"Then send Fran away, when you send me away."
"Oh, my God, if I could!" he exclaimed, starting up wildly. "But you see, it's impossible. I can't do that, and I can't keep you."