what is the use of fretting and babbling on like this?'

'Am I to understand, then, that you refuse positively to discuss
this horrible business any more? You are doing your best to drive
me away, Arthur; you must see that. Will you be very disappointed
if I refuse to go?'

Lawford rose from the bed. 'Listen just this once,' he said,
seating himself on the corner of the dressing-table. 'Imagine all
this--whatever you like to call it--obliterated. Take this,' he
nodded towards the glass, 'entirely for itself, on its own
merits, as it were. Let the dead past bury its dead. Which, now,
precisely, REALLY do you prefer--him,' he jerked his head in the
direction of the dispassionate youthful picture on the wall, 'him
or me?'

He was so close to her now that he could see the faintest tremor
on the face that had suddenly become grey and still in the thin
clear sunshine.

'I own it, I own it,' he went on, slowly; 'the change is more
than skin-deep now. One can't go through what I have gone through
these last few terrifying days, Sheila, unchanged. They have
played the devil with my body; now begins the tampering with my
mind. Not even Danton knows how it will end. But shall I tell you
why you won't, why you can't answer me that one question--him or
me? Shall I tell you?'

Sheila slowly raised her eyes.