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318 falsehood, remained falsehood. . . because of people. Could they not even for Addie's sake purge that falsehood into truth? No, no, not even for him. Would falsehood then always cleave to them? . ..

"We are too small," she thought and murmured her thought aloud.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing . . . Very well, Addie . . . Tell Papa that it shall be as he says, that I am quite content . . . that I could not do without you either . . . for six months!"

She looked at him, looked into his serious blue eyes, as though she had forgotten him and were now remembering him for the first time. Six months. . . six months without him! The new life, the new paths, the new cities, on those far-off, new horizons. . . and six months. . . six months without Addie! . ..

Had she then been dreaming? Had she just been dazzled by that glittering vision? Was it just intoxication, ecstasy? Was it just glamour and enchantment? . ..

He left her. She dressed and went downstairs.

She felt as if she were back from a long journey and seeing her house again after an absence of months. Her movements were almost like those of a sleep-walker; the house seemed something remote and impersonal, though she had always loved it,