It would look either as if she had run away from me or
as if I had packed her off in disgrace. If I could leave my practice
I'd take her abroad for two years, but I cannot. Nor--to be frank--do
I see why I should be sacrificed further."
"Oh, assuredly not." Masters' tones were even and excessively polite.
"You will take the train tomorrow morning for New York?"
"I cannot leave San Francisco until after the opening of the banks.
The money must be refunded. Besides, I prefer to go by steamer. There
is one leaving tomorrow, I believe. I want time to think before I
arrive in New York."
"And you will promise to have no correspondence with Madeleine
whatever?"
"You might leave us that much!"
"The affair shall end here and now. Do you promise?"
"Very well. But I should like to see her once more."
"That you shall not! I shall not leave her until you are outside the
Golden Gate."
"Very well. If that is all--"
"Good-by. You have behaved--well, as our code commands you to
behave. I expected nothing less. Don't imagine I don't appreciate
what this means to you. But you are a man of great ability. You will
find as hospitable a field for your talents elsewhere. San Francisco
is the chief loser. I wish you the best of luck."
And he returned to Madeleine.
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