e--she looks like a dead fish!" (Aileen had a
genius for characterization at times.) "If it just weren't for the way
I acted toward my family in Philadelphia, and the talk it would create,
and the injury it would do you financially, I'd act to-morrow. I'd
leave you--that's what I'd do. And to think that I should ever have
believed that you really loved me, or could care for any woman
permanently. Bosh! But I don't care. Go on! Only I'll tell you one
thing. You needn't think I'm going to go on enduring all this as I
have in the past. I'm not. You're not going to deceive me always.
I'm not going to stand it. I'm not so old yet. There are plenty of
men who will be glad to pay me attention if you won't. I told you once
that I wouldn't be faithful to you if you weren't to me, and I won't
be. I'll show you. I'll go with other men. I will! I will! I swear
it."

"Aileen," he asked, softly, pleadingly, realizing the futility of
additional lies under such circumstances, "won't you forgive me this
time? Bear with me for the present. I scarcely understand myself at
times. I am not like other men. You and I have run together a long
time now. Why not wait awhile? Give me a chance! See if I do not
change. I may."

"Oh yes, wait! Change. You may change. Haven't I waited? Haven't I
walked the floor night after night! when you haven't been here? Bear
with you--yes, yes! Who's to bear with me when my heart is breaking?
Oh, God!" she suddenly added, with passionate vigor, "I'm miserable!
I'm miserable! My heart aches! It aches!"

She clutched her breast and swung from the room, moving with that
vigorous stride that had once appealed to him so, and still did. Alas,
alas! it touched him now, but only as a part of a very shifty and cruel
world. He hurried out of the room after her, and (as at the time of
the Rita Sohlberg incident) slipped his arm about her waist; but she
pulled away irritably. "No, no!" she exclaimed. "Let me alone. I'm
tired of that."

"You're really not fair to me, Aileen," with a great show of feeling
and sincerity. "You're letting one affair that came between us blind
your whole point of view. I give you my word I haven't been unfaithful
to you with Stephanie Platow or any other woman. I may have flirted
with them a little, but that is really nothing. Why not be sensible?
I'm not as black as you paint me. I'm moving in big matters that are
as much for your concern and future as for mine.