'I break off all communication with you here and now.

You must give me a power of attorney ere you start to-night, and then be done with me trenchantly until better days.' I believe I offered some objection.
'Think a little for once of me!' said Romaine.

'I must not have seen you before to-night.

To-night we are to have had our only interview, and you are to have given me the power; and to-night I am to have lost sight of you again--I know not whither, you were upon business, it was none of my affairs to question you! And this, you are to remark, in the interests of your own safety much more than mine.' 'I am not even to write to you ?' I said, a little bewildered.
'I believe I am cutting the last strand that connects you with common sense,' he replied.

'But that is the plain English of it.