"My little love!" he cried to her. "My little love!"
She sprang to her feet, facing him; her hands went swiftly to her heart, as if a spasm shook her. As Jarvis came toward her, a great light in his face, she put her hands out to fend him off.
"I want you to know that I realize just how silly and cheap and theatrical I've been. I didn't mean to hurt you," she began in a monotone, as if it tired her too much to speak. He tried to stop her, but she shook her head.
"I have to say it all now. I cared so much when you came home that time, and after the first night I thought you didn't care for me."
"My best beloved, let me——"
"No, no—please. I was piqued and angry and I thought I could punish you by pretending to be the other woman you thought you were writing to. I wanted to make you care for her, and then——"
"It was you I cared for—you, you, you!"
"I thought that, when you knew I was both of us, you'd be so glad——" She broke off into a sob.
"I am, dearest, I am."
"I never meant to hurt you. This week has nearly killed me."