I nodded. In silence we went up the elevator; in equal silence, he leading, we passed along the corridor over carpets that gave out no telltale sound.
She was standing by the window when we entered. Her profile stood out clear in the shaded room, and in spite of myself a great heart-throb passed over me. She did not move at first, but at last turning she saw him and me. 361 Then I could see her tremble; she started quickly to leave, but he barred the way. The smile was still upon his face.
“Pardon me, my dear,” he protested, “but certainly you recognize an old friend.”
She grew white to the lips, and her eyes blazed. Her hands pressed together so tightly that the fingers became blue at the nails. She looked at him; such scorn I had never seen before. Before it, the smile slowly left his face.
“Were you the fraction of a man,” she voiced slowly, icily, “you would have stopped short of––this.”
She made a motion of her hand, so slight one could scarce see it, and without a word he stepped aside. She turned toward me and, instinctively, I bent in courtesy, my eyes on the floor and a great tumult in my heart. She hesitated at passing me; without looking up I knew it; then, slowly, moved away down the corridor.
I advanced inside, closing the door behind me and snapping the lock. Neither of us said a word; no word was needed. The fighting-blood of each was up, and on each the square jaw that 362 marked us both was set hard. I stepped up within a yard of him and looked him square in the eye. I pray God I may never be so angry again.
“What explanation have you to offer?” I asked.
His eye never wavered, though the blood left his face and lip; even then I admired his nerve. When he spoke his voice was even and natural.
“Nothing,” he sneered. “You have lost; that’s all.”