After luncheon, Elena Clydesdale found an opportunity for a word with him.
"Will you remember that you have an engagement to-night?" she said in a guarded voice.
"I shall break it," he replied.
"What!"
"This is going to end here and now! Your business is with your husband. He's a decent fellow; he's devoted to you. I won't even discuss it with you. Break with him if you want to, but don't count on me!"
"I can't break with him unless I can count on you. Are you going to lie to me, Jim?"
"You can call it what you like. But if you break with him it will end our friendship."
"I tell you I've got to break with him. I've got to do it now—at once!"
"Why?"
"Because—because I've got to. I can't go on fencing with him."