"Does it matter, now?"
"I don't know, Karen. I have no choice—even when your hatred threatens me.... I suppose it will be that, when I unlock your satchel."
He picked it up and fitted the key to the lock. As he opened it, a faint fresh fragrance came from it, as though he was violating the delicate intimacy of this young girl herself.
But he set his jaws; she saw the cheek muscles tighten; and he drew from the satchel two flat envelopes. One contained the forged passports, and he placed these in his breast pocket, then looked steadily at her.
"Our friendship breaks with those seals," she said unsteadily.
"Karen—I cannot help it."
"Yes, you can help it.... Kervyn!... Wait! I will—will say—that it is more than friendship that breaks—" She caught her breath and her lip quivered—"I—I have the courage to say it—if it means anything to you—if it will help——"
His face reddened, then it grew pallid and expressionless.
"Even that," he said, "must stand aside.... Karen, from the moment I saw you I have been—in love with you."
And, looking her steadily in the eyes, he broke the seals.