"Pray don't apologise!" she cried, in a high, shaking voice. "It is
best, as you say, to speak plainly--not to mince matters--especially
as there is no one to call you to account for what you say."

"And it would be worse for you, ever so much," he continued earnestly.
"Having got into the way of--of this sort of thing--I'm afraid I
might be tempted again--that I couldn't honestly promise--in short,
the fact of the matter is that we are neither of us domesticated, so to
speak--"

"There--that will do" she broke in, coldly furious, but with a volcano
in her breast that threatened eruption and devastation shortly. "Will
you let me go, Captain Carey? Or must I call my servants to my
assistance? I have only servants now."

"Yes, yes"--and he released one hand--"I will, if you'll say you
forgive me, Francie. I've made an awful mess of it, I know--"

They rose together, and the other hand was freed. It was the
right hand, and she returned it to him immediately.

"Good-bye!" she said, between clenched teeth.

He held her tightly once more.

"May I come and see you again? May I write? I can say it better in
writing."

"You have said all that needs to be said. There is no necessity to