“In the first place, is it a legal separation you require? Secondly, how do you propose to live? You will return to your parents possibly? At Rilchester you will, of course, get what you require in the way of natural life,” he continued impartially. “There is something very vital and enduring about beer, for instance.” He paused, took off his eye-glasses and wiped them carefully before he held them up to the light.
“I shall go home first,” Bridget said. Her voice was quiet and steady again. “Possibly afterwards I shall stop with the Mansfields for a time, and try to get some teaching. In any case, I shall write. I am not afraid that I shall be unable to earn a living—enough for me, at least,” she added with calmness.
“And—suppose I object?”
“It is too late for you to object,” she replied quickly. “I am determined. I will not live with you. If you had any love for me, any love whatever,” she repeated, “I would stay. I would try to make you love me more. I would do anything for you,” she said brokenly. “But, as it is, all that is left to me is to get back my self-respect. From this moment I mean that we shall be strangers to each other.”
She drew her cloak, with its fleecy white fur, round her shoulders, and turned from the fire as though to leave the room.
The man rose and swiftly caught her hands.
“Really?” he whispered. “I don’t. You’re much too beautiful to part with easily, Bridget!”
He grasped both her hands roughly in one of his, and with the other drew her to him. His face was close to hers. Bridget’s eyes met his glittering ones, as she raised them, startled and incredulous.
She tore herself free with all the strength of her slender arms, and stood confronting him, her eyes blazing, her breath coming in quick, panting sighs. “I think I am the most miserable fool alive!” she whispered, with fierce self-scorn. “I once mistook you for a gentleman, at least. I can’t forgive myself! Stay where you are!” she cried sharply, raising her voice. “You will not dare to touch me. I’m going to leave this house now, at once, since you are not to be trusted.”
She gathered her cloak over her gleaming dress, still keeping her eyes on his face, and crossed the room, closing the door behind her.