She felt passionately averse to this volunteered love.
To Rex at twenty the joy of life seemed at an end more absolutely than it can do to a man at forty.

But before they had ceased to look at each other, he did speak again.
"Is that last word you have to say to me, Gwendolen?
Will it always be so ?" She could not help seeing his wretchedness and feeling a little regret for the old Rex who had not offended her.

Decisively, but yet with some return of kindness, she said-- "About making love?
Yes.

But I don't dislike you for anything else." There was just a perceptible pause before he said a low "good-bye." and passed out of the room.

Almost immediately after, she heard the heavy hall door bang behind him.
Mrs.Davilow, too, had heard Rex's hasty departure, and presently came into the drawing-room, where she found Gwendolen seated on the low couch, her face buried, and her hair falling over her figure like a garment.