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154 Louise calmed herself:

"Eduard," she said, quietly, "leave the room."

"No."

"Once more, Eduard, leave the room, or I'll send one of the men to Papa. If you want to make a scandal, very well, do; but you'll be the chief sufferer."

He suddenly remembered the Hague, his career. ..

"Go out of the room, Eduard."

"He's hurt me!" moaned Emilie. "I've got a pain, here . . ."

She lay like a dead thing in her sister's arms.

"Eduard, go out of the room."

"I'll go," he said. "But I shall stay until the dinner is over . . ."

He went away.

"The wretch! The wretch!" moaned Emilie.

"He's bruised my breast. Lucky that he did: now I can get a divorce, can't I, Louise? . . . Louise, do you know the law?"

"No, my darling, but Papa will tell you all about it. But keep calm, keep calm . . ."

"Where has he gone?"

"If you don't mind being left alone, I'll go and see . . ."

"No, stay with me, stay with me . . ."

There was a knock at the door.

"Who's there?"