"And never let me see you again!" She moved aside, and I sprang forward and seized my hat.

I took no notice of the duchess, and, turning, I walked straight toward the door.

But before I reached it the duchess flung herself on the sofa and buried her face in the cushions.

I would not leave her like that, so I stood and waited; but my tongue still refused to find excuses, and still I was in a fever to be off.
But the duchess rose again and stood upright.

She was rather pale and her lips quivered, but she held out her hand to me with a smile.