Part 44 (1/2)
Elaine bowed her head in the shame of those bitter words.
Riviere came to her side and kissed her hand reverently.
”You did this for me. I understand all. Elaine, dear, I understand it all. There's no need for you to explain.”
”You don't believe----?”
”Not a word of it! You're the sweetest, bravest----” Words failed him, and he could only take her hand tenderly in his and let his welter of unspoken thoughts go silently to her.
”The things she said--you don't believe they're true?” she faltered.
”Don't speak of them.... You've piled up a debt on me more than I can ever repay. You've freed my hands to fight down Larssen, but at what a cost to yourself?”
”Then it's freed you?”
”Absolutely. The divorce was Larssen's trump-card. You've fought for me far better than I could ever have fought for myself. To think of you lying there helpless, and yet battling for me! My G.o.d, but at what a cost to yourself!”
”If it's freed you, dear John, nothing else matters.”
”It has. Now I can smash Larssen's scheme.... But what of you, what of you?”
”We must part--now,” she murmured.
”Why now?”
”Don't ask me to explain.”
Riviere clenched his hand. ”Yes, you're right,” he said after a pause.
”We must part--for a time.”
”It will be best for both of us. You must go back to your world.”
”I'm wanted at Nimes a few days hence, to give evidence at the trial.”
”Then leave Wiesbaden to-day.”
”Give me till to-morrow near you.”
”No, you must go to-day.... We'll say good-bye now.”
She held out her hand, but he took her in his arms and kissed her pa.s.sionately.
”No--don't!”
”Forgive me--I'm a brute!”
”Dear John, go now. Don't stay. Go back to your world and fight your battle. I shall recover my sight--I feel that more strongly than ever. I shall need it if only to read your letters. Go now, and take with you my wishes for all happiness and all success in your life-work!”