I.--FLIGHT
The quarrel which had begun about nothing, had become a raging storm. She faced him with clenched fists and flashing eyes.
"Perhaps you would like me to leave you!--to go, and relieve you of my presence! Our marriage has been a mistake. If you like, I will do my best so that the mistake may go no further. You have only to say the word, and I will go out of this house, never to return to it. Is that what you wish?"
He laughed. It was as if he had struck her across the face.
"Consult your own wishes, as you are in the habit of doing, pay no regard to mine. I can only say that if you wish to go, you are at perfect liberty to do so--I shall be content."
"Do you mean that?"
"Unlike you, I am in the habit of meaning what I say."
She drew a deep breath, as if she were choking.
"Then you wish me to go? To leave your house?"
"Don't I tell you to have regard only to your own desires--as it is your usual custom? But if you will have it, I tell you quite frankly that if you propose to continue to play the rôle of termagant, I would much rather you did it in some other house than this. If I can have nothing else in my home, I should like to have peace."