onsieur_, for your good will," she said; "but I do not need your aid.
I am with friends now, M.--M. Paul!"

I withdrew a little way and leaned my hand against the table for
support, breathing heavily. Behind me I heard the click, click of the
roulette-ball as it pursued its course around the wheel. The old
dotard had already forgotten me, and was playing with his right hand
against his left again.

"Do you not want to see me, Jacqueline?" I asked, watching her through
a whirling fog.

"No, _monsieur_," she answered chillingly. "No, _monsieur_!"

"Do you wish me to go?"

She said nothing, and I walked unsteadily toward the door. She
followed me slowly. I went out of the room and pulled the door to
behind me. I knew that after it had closed I should never see
Jacqueline again.

She opened it and stood confronting me; and then burst into a flood of
impassioned speech.

"Why have you followed me here to persecute me?" she cried. "Are you
under the illusion that I am helpless? Do you think the friends who
rescued me from you have forgotten that you exist? You took advantage
of my helplessness. I do not want to see you. I hate you!"

"You told me that you loved me, and I believed you, Jacqueline," I
answered miserably, watching the colour flame to her lovely face. And
I could see she remembered that.

"When I was ill you used me for your own base schemes," she went on
with cutting emphasis. "And you--you followed me here. Do you think
that I am unprotected, and that you are dealing only with an old man
and a helpless woman? Why, I have friends who would come in and kill
you if I but raised my voice!"

"Raise your voice, _mademoiselle_. I am ready for your friends," I
answered.

She looked less steadily at me and seemed to waver.

"What have you come for?" she asked. "Have you not had money enough?
Do you want more?"

I seized her by the wrists. Thus I held her at arm's length, and my
fingers tightened until I saw the flesh grow white beneath them. The
intensity of my rage beat hers down and made it a puny thing.

"Jacqueline! You take me for an adventurer?" I cried. "Is _that_ what
they told you? Why do you think I brought you so near your home when
you were, as you said, helpless? Only a few nights ago you said you
loved me; that you would never send me away until I wished to go. What
is it that has happened to change you so, Jacqueline?"

I had her in my arms. She struggled fierc