"Allegro! Give him up! Give him up--if not for my sake--for your own! You couldn't--be happy--with him!" With the words she seemed to crumple as though all power had suddenly left her, and sank downwards upon the floor, huddling against the bed with agonized sobbing, her black head bowed almost to the floor.
Olga was beside her in an instant, stooping over her, wrapping warm arms about her.

"My darling, don't, don't!" she pleaded.

"You know I would never do anything to hurt you.

I never dreamed of this indeed--indeed!" Violet made a passionate movement to thrust her away, but she would not suffer it.

She held her close.
"Violet dearest, don't cry like this! There is no need for it.