"Elise," said Mrs. Kildair, coming forward again and arresting the other's arm, "listen. You are not what I am. You are not strong—you are weak. You are a woman of the world, worldly, loving worldly things, who for a moment has been transformed by a great passion. The whole earth has no such passion any longer. Do you understand? Something is gone—your youth is ended. Keep tight hold of the little that is left. Come, be strong. Dissimulate as you have before. Come."
"Not now," said Mrs. Bloodgood, terrified.
"Yes, now. If possible, you must be back before he returns."
And Beecher, from his chair where he had watched, forgotten by both women, saw Mrs. Kildair, who not for a moment had deviated from the vital issue, draw the unresisting woman by the very force of her energy into the bedroom, from which shortly they emerged again.
"I am ready," said Mrs. Bloodgood in a voice that was scarcely distinguishable. She had thrown over her head a thick veil, behind which her features were only dimly visible.
"Telephone for a carriage," said Mrs. Kildair.
"I have done so," said Beecher, who had availed himself of the interval.
"But the trunks?" said Mrs. Bloodgood, turning helplessly.
"They went back long ago."
"Ah!" She took a few weak steps and turned. "But I shall see him?"