"But I am going away." "Where are you going ?" "To the country, to Fleurieres; to be alone." "To leave me ?" said Newman, slowly.
"I can't see you, now," said Madame de Cintre.
"NOW--why not ?" "I am ashamed," said Madame de Cintre, simply.
Newman turned toward the marquis.

"What have you done to her--what does it mean ?" he asked with the same effort at calmness, the fruit of his constant practice in taking things easily.

He was excited, but excitement with him was only an intenser deliberateness; it was the swimmer stripped.
"It means that I have given you up," said Madame de Cintre.

"It means that." Her face was too charged with tragic expression not fully to confirm her words.

Newman was profoundly shocked, but he felt as yet no resentment against her.