"I want no presents, Lot," she said, but almost gently.
"Oh, Madelon, keep it!" She reached across him, and laid the little box back on the table.
"There's another ring I've got for you you'll have to wear, Madelon." "I will wear what I must, for the sake of my promise, when the time comes, but that is all I will do," returned Madelon; and she seemed to feel, as she spoke, the wedding-ring close around her finger like a snake.
"Can nothing I can give you please you, Madelon ?" "No, Lot," she said, but not ungently.

She began to move away.
"Madelon," said Lot.
"Well ?" Madelon waited, but Lot said not another word.

She went on towards the door.
"Madelon," he whispered, and she stopped again; but this time also there was a long silence, which he did not break.
Madelon opened the door, and his piteous cry came for the third time, and she waited on the threshold; but again he said nothing more.
"Good-night," said she, shortly, and was out, and the door shut.

Then she heard a cry from him, as if he were dying.

"Madelon, Madelon!" She opened the door with a jerk, and went back.