'Sans doute. You know that he adores you. But, Edith, it's all very well--you put like that--but could you go through with it?' 'I believe I could now,' she answered. 'I begin to long to. You see, I mistook my own feelings, Landi; they seemed dulled. I thought I could live without love--but why should I? What is it that's made me change so? Why do I feel so frightened now at the idea of losing my happiness?' 'C'est la guerre,' said Sir Tito. 'The war? What has that to do with it?' 'Everything. Unconsciously it affects people. Though you yourself are not fighting, Aylmer has risked his life, and is going to risk it again. This impresses you. To many temperaments things seem to matter less just now. People are reckless.' 'Is it that?' asked Edith. 'Perhaps it is. But I was so completely deceived in myself.' 'I always knew you could be in love with him,' said Landi. 'But wait a moment, Edith--need the remedy be so violent? I don't ask you to live without love. Why should a woman live without the very thing she was created for? But you know you hate publicity--vulgar scandal. Nobody loathes it as you do.' 'It doesn't seem to matter now so much,' Edith said. 'It's the war.' 'Well, whatever's the cause, all I can tell you is that I'm beginning to think I shall do it! I want to!... I can't bear to refuse again. I haven't seen him since our talk. I changed gradually, alone, just thinking. And then you say--' 'Many people have love in their lives without a violent public scandal,' he repeated. 'Yes, I know. I understand what you mean. But I hate deceit, Landi. I don't think I could lead a double life. And even if I would, he wouldn't!' She spoke rather proudly. 'Pauvre garcon!' said Sir Tito. 'Je l'admire.' 'So do I,' said Edith. 'Aylmer's not a man who could shake hands with Bruce and be friends and deceive him. And you know, before, when I begged him to remain ... my friend ... he simply wouldn't. He always said he despised the man who would accept the part of a tame cat. And he doesn't believe in Platonic friendship: Aylmer's too honest, too _real_ for that.' 'But, Edith, oh, remember, before,' said Landi taking her hand, 'even when Bruce ran away with another woman, you couldn't bear the idea of divorce.' 'I know. But I may have been wrong. Besides, I didn't care for him as I do now. And I'm older now.' 'Isn't this rather sudden, my dear?' 'Only because I've let myself go--let myself be natural! Oh, _do_ encourage me--give me strength, Landi! Don't let me be a coward! Think if Aylmer goes out again and is killed, how miserable I should feel to have refused him and disappointed him--for the second time!' 'Wait a moment, Edith. Suppose, as you say, he goes out again and is killed, and you _haven't_ disappointed him, what would your position be then?' She couldn't answer. 'How is it your conscientiousness with regard to Bruce doesn't come in the way now? Why would it ruin him less now than formerly?'