"I give you my word."
"Tonight?"
"Tonight."
Mrs. Bloodgood made a little sign of acquiescence, and passed out of the door. The carriage was waiting. Beecher silently handed her into it, feeling the sudden heaviness on his arm. They rolled away. She did not lift her veil, and he could not guess what look was on her face. Twice she made him change their course, in order to put off the final dreaded moment.
"You have been kind," she said at last. "I owe you much. Thank you. Now I will go back."
"Don't speak of thanks at such a time," he said hastily. "If I can help you in any way, any time—"
"I know." All at once, forgetting his presence, she burst out: "Oh, how I loved him! I would have done anything for him—anything! I can't believe it. It doesn't seem possible!"
"Be careful, Mrs. Bloodgood," he said, alarmed. "Be careful—please."
"You need have no fear," she said slowly. "All that is over." But, still obsessed, she seized his arm. "Only I want you to know that I loved him so that nothing made any difference. Any one can know it. I would have gone—"
"I know it," he said quickly, taking her hand to quiet her.