"And if my husband asks you not to come?"
"He will ask me to come."
"And if I should ask you in the presence of my husband not to come?"
"I will agree to this, madam," Millar said, looking at her with amusement. "If you do not ask me, in the presence of your husband, to come to-night I will not come. Is that fair?"
"Yes, that is more than nice. It is the first really nice thing you have said," Olga said, greatly relieved.
She wanted to be rid of this terribly sinister influence; to be out of reach of the being who seemed to compel her thoughts to link her present with the past. She wished to feel again the sweet, wholesome purpose that had inspired her yesterday; to go ahead with her unselfish plans for Karl's future. Now that he had given his promise, she was eager to be away, and as Karl and Herman entered she suggested to her husband that it was time to go.
"Yes, put on your coat," Herman said, turning to talk to Millar, whom he found interesting. Karl helped Olga on with her coat, and the touch of it brought back the feeling that had surged over him when he had leaned down to kiss her a few minutes before.
"Now I see how unworthy is my sketch," he said softly.
"Do not look at me like that," Olga protested.
"Why not?" Karl asked hopelessly. "Even when I don't look at you I see you just the same."