He drew back as though already he felt her arms about him.
"Don't," she said, smiling a tired smile. "I'm not going to try that."
Her instinct had given her possession of the scene. He felt it and was irritated.
"Only let us part quietly—with dignity," she said, "for we have been happy together for six years." Then she said rapidly:
"I want you to know that I shall do nothing to dishonor your name. I am not going to him. That is ended."
An immense curiosity came to him to learn the reason of this strange avowal. But he realized it would never do for him to ask it.
"Good-by, Jackie," she said, having waited a moment. "I shall not see you again."
He watched her leaving with the same moving grace with which she had come. All at once he found a way of evasion.
"Why don't you go to him?" he said harshly.
She stopped but did not turn.