"What an ending to my first pleasure!" "For Heaven's sake, Geraldine," he broke out, "don't take an accident so tragically----" "I want Kathleen.

Do you hear ?" "Very well; I'll find her....

And, whatever you say or think, I _am_ in love with you," he added fiercely.
His voice, his words, were meaningless; she was conscious only of the heavy pulse in throat and temple, of the desire for her room and darkness.

Lights, music, the scent of dying flowers, laughter, men, all had become abhorrent.

Something within her lay bruised and stunned; and, as never before, the vast and terrible phantom of her loneliness rose like a nightmare to menace her.
Later Kathleen came and took her away..