"Because of the education you gave me," she answered.
"Yes, yes, that was the great mistake. I begin to see. Heaven, one might say, gave you to me. I felt that I must improve on the gift of Heaven before I accepted you. There was my fault. For that I must pay the great penalty. Kismet! And now, what is it you wish?"
"To leave at once."
"A little harsh, but necessary, if you will it. There is the door, free to you. The change of identity of which I spoke to you is easily arranged. I have only to take you to the bank and that is settled. Is there anything else?"
"Only one thing—and that is not much."
"Very good."
"You have given so much," she ran on eagerly, "that you will give one thing more—out of the goodness of that really big heart of yours, John, dear!"
He winced under that pleasantly tender word.
And she said: "I want to take Caroline with me—to freedom and the man she loves. That is really all!"
The lean fingers of John Mark drummed on the back of the chair, while he smiled down on her, an inexplicable expression on his face.