"Schuyler Cluett, you know that I would give much to have you never cross my path again; but your coming has unnerved me, and I am not myself.
"If I give you money, without telling my husband all, it would but be robbing him to pay you.
"If I tell him, I believe he would pay you as you demand; but yet, with you alive, and he knowing it, I could not remain here as his wife.
"So go from me, and I will decide when I can collect my thoughts."
"I will give you just one week."
"It is long enough, for I will not need so much time; but do not come here."
"No, I will give you an address in the city that will reach me, and you can appoint a place of meeting when you can give me the money."
"If I decide to do so."
"Oh, no fear about that, for you will decide in my favour, and for your children for it would be a big scandal, you know, to come out; that—but I'll not remind you, so here is my address, and I'll bid you goodnight, Mrs. Ivey," and he left the room as silently as he had entered it, and the poor woman was again alone with the phantoms of the past.