"I don't hate you—in fact, I should like to tell you something, Mr. Dakers, then perhaps you won't feel so badly about it. May I?"
"Well?" The monosyllable came gruffly.
"It's just that the one good thing that has happened to me since— since I married Chris—is having met you! I shall always be glad of that, no matter what happens, for you've been such a kind friend. Please believe me."
Dakers looked down at the hand resting on his arm.
"Do you believe in friendship between a man and woman, Mrs. Lawless?" he asked, in a queer voice.
"Oh, yes!" said Marie, fervently. "Don't you?"
"I am not sure."
She looked up in dismay.
"But you said—I thought you said . . ."
He broke in abruptly.