"William!—William! don't do it!—don't resign! Let me apologize!"
He was angered by her persistence, and merely said, coldly:
"I have given you my reasons, Kitty, why such a course is impossible."
"And—and you start to-morrow morning?"
"By the early train. Please let me go, Kitty. There are many things to arrange. I must order the gondola, and see if the people here can cash me a check."
"You mean—to leave me alone?" The words had a curious emphasis.
"I had a few words with Miss French before you came in. The packet arrived by the evening post, and seeing that it was books—for you—I opened it. After about an hour"—he turned and walked away again—"I saw my bearings. Then I called Miss French, told her I should have to go to-morrow, and asked her how long she could stay with you."
"William!" cried Kitty again, leaning heavily on the table beside her—"don't go!—don't leave me!"
His face darkened.
"So you would prevent me from taking the only honorable, the only decent way out of this thing that remains to me?"