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284 much indeed. At this moment, perhaps even more than for Addie. . . I'm not quite sure. A time may come. . . may come, when I shall care for you even more. . . certainly more than for Addie."

"Oh," he cried, "but then . . ."

"Don't speak," she said. "Listen to me. What you're asking of me . . . I refuse."

'Why?"

"Because I am an honest woman. . . . Because I am naturally an honest woman. . . . Because I always mean to be an honest woman. . . . I could never do what you ask me to. . . . Because, even if I had to say good-bye to my husband, I should never, never be willing to say good-bye to my children."

"You love your children better?"

"Better? I love them in a way which a man like you simply cannot understand."

"Tilly! Tilly!"

"Be quiet! . . . There are people coming. . . . Be quiet!"

"Oh, Tilly, what then?"

"I don't know," she said, dully. "Oh, come along to the club; we'll play some tennis!"

She quickened her pace; he followed her, lurching like a drunken man.