I went straight into my own room and got my hat and stick.
She followed me as far as the doorway. I saw her leaning there, all limp and white.
“You knew!” she was murmuring, as if to herself. “You knew!”
“I don't believe I shall need my overcoat,” said I, glancing out at the sunlight on the roofs. God knows why I said just that at such a moment. I added—
“Wait here, Heloise. It will be all right. But the time has come to stop drifting. We are going to stop drifting now, you and I—and he. Good-by, dear, for now.”
I knew I must hurry. I simply could not talk this out with her now. I felt that I could not endure it. I doubted if she could. Besides it would get us nowhere so long as the question of Crocker himself should be left unsettled to menace our two lives.
I opened the door.
She came on into the room, reaching her hands out toward me. She seemed actually weak, trembling.
“Oh—Anthony!” she breathed, staring at me with something that was almost fascination in her eyes, as if she were now seeing me for the first time.
I could not trust myself at all. I hurried out, closing the door behind me. I ran down the stairs.