Kate got up with a flush on her cheeks. The room had become too close. Pete helped her into the parlour, where a bright fire was burning, then propped and wrapped her up afresh, and, at her own entreaty, returned to his guests. The company had increased by this time, and there were women and girls among them. They went on to sing and to playt and at last to dance. Kate heard them. Through the closed door between the hall and the parlour their merriment came to her. At intervals Pete put in his head, brimming over with laughter, and cried in a loud whisper, “Did you hear that, Kate? It's rich!” At length Philip came, too, with his hat in one hand and a cardboard box in the other. “The godfather's present to little Katherine,” he said. Kate opened the lid, and drew out a child's hood in scarlet plush. “You are very good,” she said vacantly. “Don't let us talk of goodness,” he answered; and he turned to go. “Wait,” she faltered. “I have something to say to you. Shut the door.” XI. Philip turned pale. “What is it?” he asked. She tried to speak, but at first she could not. “Are you unhappy, Kate?” he faltered. “Can't you see?” she answered. He sat down by the fire, and leaned his face on his hands. “Yes, we have both suffered,” he said, in a low tone. “Why did you let me marry him?” Philip raised his head. “How could I have hindered you?” “How? Do you ask me how?” She spoke with some bitterness, but he answered quietly. “I tried, Kate, but I could do nothing. You seemed determined. Do what I would to prevent, to delay, to stop your marriage altogether, the more you hastened and hurried it. Then I thought to myself, Well, perhaps it is best. She is trying to forget and forgive, and begin again. What right have I to stand in her way? Haven't I wronged her enough already? A good man offers her his love, and she is taking it. Let her do so, if she can, God help her! I may suffer, but I am nothing to her now. Let me go my way.” She put her arms on the table, and hid her face in them. “Oh, I cannot bear it,” she said. He rose to his feet slowly. “If it is my presence here that hurts you, Kate, I will go away. It has been but a painful pleasure to come, and I have been forced to take it. You will acquit me of coming of my own choice, Kate. But I will not torment you. I will go away, and never come again.” She lifted her face, and said in a passionate whisper, “Take me with you.” He shook his head. “That's impossible, Kate. You are married now. Your husband loves you dearly. He is a better man than I am, a thousand, thousand times.”