“I was wrong. Leave it, for God’s sake! I could not bear to know the truth.”

I, too, sprang up, electrified by that terrible outburst. Grasping tight the envelope, I walked to and fro in the room, stamping on the carpet, and wondering all the time (in one part of my brain) why I should be making such a noise with my feet. At length I faced her. She had not moved. She stood like a statue, her black tea-gown falling about her, and her two hands under her white drawn face.

“It shall be as you wish,” I said. “I won’t open it.”

And I put the envelope back into my pocket.

We both sat down.

“Let us have some tea, eh?” said