"I believe it. She hates me not because I am myself, but simply because I am your closest friend. Hush, Julian. It's much better all this should be said once for all. Many women are intensely jealous of the men friends of men whom they either love, or who they mean shall love them. Look at the wives who drive their husbands' old chums from intimacy into the outer darkness of acquaintanceship. Wedding-days break, as well as bind, faith. And you have had your wedding-day with Cuckoo."
"That was an accident. She loathes to think of it."
"She may say so. But it puts a fine edge on her hatred of me, nevertheless."
"No, Valentine, no. Her dislike of you is simply silly—instinctive."
"She tells you so. Ah! I was wrong to call her nothing. But it is her hatred of me that must bring us to battle unless—"
"Unless what?"
"You give her up now, once and for all."
"Give Cuckoo up!"
The words came slowly, and the voice that uttered them sounded startled and even shocked. Valentine began to gauge the new power of the lady of the feathers from that moment.
"That's a—a strong thing to do, Val."