"Not even see her? Not one glance?"
"No. Not and remain in my service; furthermore, your wife must not even know she is coming. I do not trust women. She might promise secrecy, but would yield to the temptation to look at her, to see how she had changed. While she was looking, the famous Miss Earle would see her, and then such a scene would follow as I don't wish Baxter and Harrington to see. What are you looking at me like that for?"
"You do not mean that Miss Earle, the great singer, is Clarissa?"
"None other, James. Time makes many changes. But quick,—you must choose."
"I never did, nor never will condemn or believe anything against her."
"Then you decide to go to her? No doubt she will be glad to have you with her again."
"I did not say that. I said I trusted her, and I do. She had reasons I did not know, and probably never shall, for doing what she did. I shall serve you lovingly and faithfully as long as breath remains in my old body, unless you send me away. I had rather die than know that she was here though, and not hear the sound of her sweet voice, or feel the touch of her soft, white hands, but I will follow your directions, and so shall Nancy. I will keep her working. May I ask just one question?"
"I have never refused to answer you, have I?"
"Shall you mesmerize her? If you do, may I not take just one look at her? She will not know it."
"I shall have nothing to do with her."