"Meaning, you cannot." Philip's voice was bitter.
She turned quickly and looked at him.
"What do you mean?" she asked him, fearing.
"I mean that you are unfair. You ask me not to talk of my love, you wish to talk friendship, while you are forcing me by your every word and act to think of my own misery."
Claire stood aghast before him. His words seemed to her to be an accusation so grossly false that she was stunned beyond anger.
"I don't understand," she said anxiously.
"You ought to understand. I love you, I cannot help but love you, fight it as I will. You say you cannot love me because of your husband. Yet your talk is not of your husband, but of this blind man. You say you desire friendship, yet you allow me all that a woman allows her accepted suitor."
Claire was appalled. She stared at him in amazement, faltering.
"Why, Philip, I—what is the matter? I don't do any such thing."
He laughed.