"Oh, Richard, Richard!" she exclaimed, with a sob, threw her arms over his shoulder, and let her forehead drop on his breast.

Then came a sudden impulse in his blood.
Long after he shuddered when he remembered what he thought at that instant; what he wished to do; what rich madness possessed him.

He knew now why he had come to town; he also knew why he must not stay, or, if staying, what must be his course.
He took her gently by the arm and led her to a chair, speaking cheerily to her.

Then he sat down beside her, and all at once again, her face wet and burning, she flung herself forward on her knees beside him, and clung to him.
"Oh, Richard, I am glad you have come," she said.

"I would have killed her if I had not thought of you.