‘We know that Haddo had powers that other men have not,’ answered Susie.  ’Perhaps there was enough truth in his extravagant pretensions to enable him to do something that we can hardly imagine.’

Arthur passed his hands wearily over his face.

’I’m so broken, so confused, that I cannot think sanely.  At this moment everything seems possible.  My faith in all the truths that have supported me is tottering.’

For a while they remained silent.  Arthur’s eyes rested on the chair in which Margaret had so often sat.  An unfinished canvas still stood upon the easel.  It was Dr Porhoet who spoke at last.

’But even if there were some truth in Miss Boyd’s suppositions, I don’t see how it can help you.  You cannot do anything.  You have no remedy, legal or otherwise.  Margaret is apparently a free agent, and she has married this man.  It is plain that many people will think she has done much better in marrying a country gentleman than in marrying a young surgeon.  Her letter is perfectly lucid.  There is no trace of compulsion.  To all intents and purposes she has married him of her own free-will, and there is nothing to show that she desires to be released from him or from the passion which we may suppose enslaves her.’

What he said was obviously true, and no reply was possible.

‘The only thing is to grin and bear it,’ said Arthur, rising.

‘Where are you going?’ said Susie.

’I think I want to get away from Paris.  Here everything will remind me of what I have lost.  I must get back to my work.’

He had regained command over himself, and except for the hopeless woe of his face, which he could not prevent from being visible, he was as calm as ever.  He held out his hand to Susie.

‘I can only hope that you’ll forget,’ she said.

‘I don’t wish to forget,’ he answered, shaking his head.  ’It’s possible that you will hear from Margaret.  She’ll want the things that she has left here, and I daresay will write to you.  I should like you to tell her that I bear her no ill-will for anything she has done, and I will never venture to reproach her.  I don’t know if I shall be able to do anything for her, but I wish her to know that in any case and always I will do everything that she wants.’

‘If she writes to me, I will see that she is told,’ answered Susie gravely.

‘And now goodbye.’

‘You can’t go to London till tomorrow.  Shan’t I see you in the morning?’

’I think if you don’t mind, I won’t come here again.  The sight of all this rather disturbs me.’

Again a contraction of pain passed across his eyes, and Susie saw that he was using a superhuman effort to preserve the appearance of composure.  She hesitated a moment.

‘Shall I never see you again?’ she said.  ’I should be sorry to lose sight of you entirely.’

‘I should be sorry, too,’ he answered.  ’I have learned how good and kind you are, and I shall never forget that you are Margaret’s friend.  When you come to London, I hope that you will let me know.’