_Mon pauvre Philippe_, it's you, not I, who will take another view of things to-morrow. [_He makes a gesture of dissent._] Ah, come, come, come! You have never loved me as I have loved you. Unconsciously--without perceiving it--one may be half a _poseuse_; but at least I've been sincere in my love for you, and in hungering to be your wife. [_Giving him her right hand._] You're the best I've ever known, dear; by far the best I've ever known. [_He presses her hand to his brow convulsively._] But when we had our talk in South Audley Street, how did you serve me? You insisted on my waiting--waiting; I who had cherished your image in my mind for years! You guessed I shouldn't have patience--you almost prophesied as much; but still--I was to wait! PHILIP. [_Inarticulately._] Oh, Otto! OTTOLINE. [_Withdrawing her hand._] What did that show, Phil? It showed--as your compromise with mother and Dad showed afterwards--that the success of the book you were engaged upon came first with you; that marrying me was to be only an incident in your career; that you didn't love me sufficiently to bend your pride or vary your programme a jot. [_He gets to his feet, startled, dumbfoundered. He attempts to speak, but she checks him._] H'sh! H'sh! I'm scolding you; but, for your sake, I wouldn't have it otherwise. Now that I'm sane and cool, I wouldn't have it otherwise. PHILIP. [_Struggling for words--thickly._] Ottoline--Ottoline--[_his voice dying away_] I----! OTTOLINE. [_Taking his hands in hers._] Good-bye. Don't come downstairs with me. Let me leave you sitting at your table, at work--at work on that incomplete chapter. We shall tumble up against one another, I dare say, at odd times, but this is the last we shall see of each other _dans l'intimite_; and I want to print on my memory the sight of you--[_pointing to the writing-table_] there--keeping your flag flying. [_Putting her arms round him--in a whisper._] Keep your flag flying, Philip! Don't--don't sulk with your art, and be false to yourself, because a trumpery woman has fretted and disturbed you. Keep your flag flying--[_kissing him_] my--my dear hero!