ever had. But she will have to do without you even if you never can
be replaced. I had the whole history of the affair from Mrs. McLane
this afternoon. No one believes--yet--that things have reached a
climax between you and Madeleine. On the contrary, they are expecting
an elopement. But if you remain, nothing on God's earth can prevent
an abominable scandal. Madeleine's name will be dragged through the
mud. She will be cut, cast out of Society. Even I could not protect
her; I should be regarded as a blind fool, or worse, for it will be
known that Mrs. McLane warned me. No woman can keep her mouth shut.
She and other powerful women--even that damned old cut-throat, Mrs.
Abbott--are standing by Madeleine loyally, but they are all alert for
a denouement nevertheless. If you go, that will satisfy them.
Madeleine will be merely the heroine of an unhappy love-affair, and
although nothing will stop their damned clacking tongues for a time,
they will pity her and do their best to make her forget."

"I cannot go. It is impossible. You are asking too much. And, I
repeat, I'll never see her again. Mrs. McLane can be made to
understand the truth. I'll leave the hotel tomorrow."

"You love Madeleine, do you not?"

"Yes--I do."

"Then will you save her from ruin in the only way possible. It is
not only her reputation that I fear. You know yourself, I fancy. You
may avoid her, but you will hardly deny that if circumstances threw
you together, alone, temptation would be irresistible--the more so as
you would have ached for the mere sound of her voice every minute. I
know now what it means to love Madeleine."