Page:Keeping the Peace.pdf/268



DWARD was so unhappy that he couldn't keep it to himself. Anne believed that he was unhappy because Alice had left Paris; her jealousy got the better of her good resolutions and she started to work herself into a fury.

Edward simply caught up his hat and started coldly from the room. He was in the mood to leave Anne forever and ever. But she followed him down all the stairs, abusing him in a voice that grew stronger and stronger as her passion rose.

He dared not go out into the street. She would have followed and made a laughing-stock of him. He turned and caught her by the wrist—firmly but not roughly. At once she began to scream that he was hurting her. "Kill me if you must," she screamed, "but don't torture me!"

He was helpless. He tried to dart past her and run back to the studio, but she grappled with him.

"Let go of me," he said savagely, "or I will hurt you."

There must have been a dangerous look in his eye, for she did let go and she lowered her voice.

"Why are you so cruel to me?" she said.