eturn. But she didn't. The mood of exaltation into which their
love-making had lifted her made her regard this woman with something
nearer to pity than dislike. Her attitude implied that to consider the
practical aspect of the affair would be in the nature of a condescension.
Mrs. Payne naturally resented this, but in any case Gabrielle had taken
the wind out of her sails. They were drifting--rather unpleasantly--away
from the object of her visit. She pulled herself--and then Gabrielle--up
short.

"You can't pretend not to realise the seriousness of your position," she
said. "You're a married woman. If you persist in this madness you'll
ruin your whole life. I'll be candid with you. What happens to you
doesn't matter to me; but what happens to Arthur does. Can't you see the
end of it?"

"No ... it's only begun...."

"Then I'll tell you the end. Your husband will divorce you."

"Then I shall be free? And why not? We don't love each other. Why
should we go on living together? The thought of him makes me shudder ...
now."

"That is your affair. I'm afraid I can't help you in it. But Arthur is
mine. I'm not going to see him dragged into this ... impossibility. No
... we can't discuss it like this. You may be as innocent as you pretend
to be--though it's difficult to believe it. You imagine you're in love.
You're drifting out of an ordinary sort of friendship into ... what I saw
to-night. Well, that can only lead to the most awful unhappiness for all
of us. You must consider it finished. We won't have any disturbance;
but, all the same, you can't see Arthur again. We'll invent some reason
to explain your going away to-morrow ... something plausible ... to
satisfy him. With your husband it will be more difficult. But I'm
prepared to help you. It can be managed without any scandal if we work
together... I'm sure you'll agree with me and be sensible about it. If
you won't, I can't answer for the consequences."

Mrs. Payne was presuming too much. All the time that she spoke Gabrielle
sat with lowered eyes, motionless but for little protesting movements of
her hands; now she turned upon her, speaking very low and rapidly.

"You think I can give him up? You think it's possible? Love ... the
only thing I want! The thing I've never had! Happiness... Why should
you ruin our happiness? You've had yours. Oh, you're selfish. I shan't
give him up if he wants me. Ask him yourself if he loves