“I didn’t know him then as I do now,” she said.
“What do you mean by that?” he asked, angrily. Then, when he saw that she had no reply to make, he went on, in a more conciliatory tone: “It will be impossible for me to avoid asking him. You know perfectly well——”
The blood had rushed to her face. “If he comes, Douglas,” she said, “I can’t stay here.”
He walked swiftly toward her and rested his hand on one of the chairs. His eyes shone. “I’ve stood enough of this behavior from you, Helen, and now I’m going to put my foot down. You sha’n’t stir out of this house. You’ll stay here, and you’ll receive Franklin West as you receive all my other friends. He knows you’re here, and I don’t propose to allow him to be insulted by your leaving. Do you understand?”
Helen bowed. “Perfectly,” she said, in a whisper.
“Then you’ll do as I say?”
“No,” she replied, quietly. “I’ll go. I’ll leave this very morning.”
“Then if you leave,” he said, “you’ll leave for good.”
“As you please.” Helen turned and walked slowly toward the door. He watched her angrily. As she opened the door she leaned against it heavily and caught her breath in a sob.
He stepped forward quickly and took her in his arms. “Helen,” he cried, brokenly, “I didn’t mean that! I didn’t know what I was saying! It’s because I love you that I’m so harsh with you. Can’t you see I’ve been in hell ever since this trouble began? Everything I’ve done has been done for you. I’ve made mistakes. I’ve done wrong. I’ve got into a terrible mess. But God knows I want to get out of it; and I will get out of it, if you’ll only have patience. I hate that man West as much as you do. But I can’t throw him down now. It would mean ruin for me. Only listen to reason, won’t you? Besides, you haven’t anything against West. Hasn’t he always treated you civilly?” He hesitated, watching the tears that ran down her cheeks. “Well, hasn’t he? Answer me, Helen.”