"I'm going to town," he said pleasantly. "I won't bother you any more. Remain; come and go as you like without further fear of my annoying you. The servants are properly instructed. They will be at your orders. I'm sorry—I meant to be more agreeable. Good-bye, Miss Nevers."
She laid her hand in his, lifelessly, then withdrew it. Dumb, dreadfully confused, she looked up at him; then, as he turned coolly away, an inarticulate sound of protest escaped her lips. He halted and turned around.
"It isn't fair—what you are doing—Mr. Desboro."
"What else is there to do?"
"Why do you ask me? Why must the burden of decision always rest with me?"
"But my decision is that I had better go. I can't remain here without—annoying you."
"Why can't you remain here as my employer? Why can't we enjoy matter-of-fact business relations? I ask no more than that—I want no more. I am afraid you think I do expect more—that I expect friendship. It is impossible, unsuitable—and I don't even wish for it——"
"I do," he said.
"How can we be friends, from a social standpoint? There is nothing to build on, no foundation—nothing for friendship to subsist on——"
"Could you and I meet anywhere in the world and become less than friends?" he asked. "Tell me honestly. It is impossible, and you and I both know it."