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see you again.’
‘Don’t you call me reasonable now?’
‘I don’t know what to say to you,’ she answered with sud-
den humility.
‘I shan’t trouble you for a long time,’ the young man went
on. He made a step towards the door, but he stopped. ‘An-
other reason why I came was that I wanted to hear what
you would say in explanation of your having changed your
mind.’
Her humbleness as suddenly deserted her. ‘In explana-
tion? Do you think I’m bound to explain?’
He gave her one of his long dumb looks. ‘You were very
positive. I did believe it.’
‘So did I. Do you think I could explain if I would?’
‘No, I suppose not. Well,’ he added, ‘I’ve done what I
wished. I’ve seen you.’
‘How little you make of these terrible journeys,’ she felt
the poverty of her presently replying.
‘If you’re afraid I’m knocked up-in any such way as that-
you may be at your ease about it.’ He turned away, this time
in earnest, and no handshake, no sign of parting, was ex-
changed between them. At the door he stopped with his
hand on the knob. ‘I shall leave Florence to-morrow,’ he said
without a quaver.
‘I’m delighted to hear it!’ she answered passionately. Five
minutes after he had gone out she burst into tears.

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