"You are altogether mad!" she said at last in her husky tones. "Here is your husband. Tell him, tell him...."
Evanthia spun round where she stood with her hands on her bosom.
"We must go, dear," said Mr. Spokesly and paused in astonishment at the scene. With a convulsive movement the girl tore at her dress and then flung out her hand towards the shore.
"Go then, go! Why do you come here any more? You want her. There she is, jealous because all the men want me. Look at her. She ask you with her eyes. Oh, yah! I hate you! I never love you. It is finish. Go!"
"Eh!" he called, swallowing hard. He looked at Esther in amazement. "What is this?" he asked. "What have you said to her? My dear!"
"You better go," said Esther sullenly. "She won't go with you. Can't you see?"
"But how can I go without her?" he exclaimed.
"I kill myself before I go. This is my place. Go back, you. I hate you."
Esther came over to him and, taking up the satchel, thrust him out before her. Down the steps and across the dark garden she went with him, and only when the great gate clanged did he make an effort to break through the dreadful paralysis of mind that had assailed him.
"What made her go on like that?" he demanded drearily.