She had turned as if to go to her room when he again spoke:
"Besides, there has to be a head of every family Just as there had to be a head of every business, and so long as I have any family I am going to be the head of it! If I had a partner and he came to me and said 'Do this thing or I quit you,' whether the thing was right or wrong, I'd say, 'Go ahead. Quit.' Because if I didn't, from that moment on, he, not I, would be the boss! So it is with us."
"That is for you to say. But if you do go, remember that it is of your own volition. I want you to stay--you understand?"
"One thing is certain. You can't think very much of me, or you couldn't even think of leaving me like this--"
"It is because I do love you," she cried hysterically, "that I must leave you. You don't understand that now but, oh! how I hope that some day you will. Good-bye!"
She went toward the dressing table as if to get her hat and coat. He halted her with a gesture.
"I don't think so. Aside from marrying her husband, leaving him is the most serious step a woman can take. Serious steps should be given great consideration."
"I have considered this," she replied gravely.
"In the first place you know that since you came into my life I haven't given any other woman even a thought. You know that, don't you?"
"In the next place you are leaving me! I am not leaving you. My home is still open to you and I want you for my wife--"
He stopped and looked at her as if expecting her to say something, but she was silent and he went on:
"Of course under any circumstances I shall see you are well provided for."
"You mean that you wouldn't take-any allowance?"
"Yes! I came to you with nothing--that is what I'll take away."
"Now do be a sensible little woman," he said coaxingly. "If you won't take anything from me, where are you to go, what are you to do?"
"You seem to forget that I managed to live before I met you!"
"Because it's impossible--absolutely impossible."
He made an impatient gesture as if any such action were unthinkable.
"Come now, dearie, get all such foolish thoughts out of your head. The idea is absurd, ridiculous."
"Among other reasons is the fact that I wouldn't let you."
"How can you prevent me? You can't keep me a prisoner here and you can't force me to take your money unless I wish to take it. You see?"