“No! No!” he burst out spasmodically. “It’s not so! I shall not admit it! Would you have me ruin myself for all time? Would you have me ruin Elsie’s future! Would you have me kill her love for me?”
“Then you will not confess?”
“I tell you there is nothing to confess!”
She gazed at him steadily a moment. Then she turned back to the door, softly unlocked and opened it. He started to rush through, but she raised a hand and stopped him.
“Just look,” she commanded in a whisper.
He stared through the open door. They could see Elsie’s white face upon the pillow, with the two dark braids beside it; and could see Doctor West hovering over her. He had not heard them, but Miss Sherman had, and she directed at Katherine a pale and hostile glance.
The young husband twisted his hands in agony.
“Oh, Elsie! Elsie!” he moaned.
Katherine closed the door, and turned again to Doctor Sherman.