For a moment she made no reply. She felt the reproach was not unmerited, but why should they blame her for seeking happiness? Was she not entitled to it as much as any other woman? She had not married Howard for his social position or his money. In fact, she had been worse off since her marriage than she was before. She married him because she loved him, and because she thought she could redeem him, and she was ready to go through any amount of suffering to prove her disinterested devotion. Quietly, she said: "Yes, I know--I did wrong. But I--I love him, Mr. Jeffries. Believe me or not--I love him. It's my only excuse. I thought I could take care of him. He needed some one to look after him, he's too easily influenced. You know his character is not so strong as it might be. He told me that his fellow students at college used to hypnotize him and make him do all kinds of things to amuse the other boys. He says that somehow he's never been the same since. I--I just loved him because I was strong and he was weak. I thought I could protect him. But now this terrible thing has happened, and I find I am powerless. It's too much for me. I can't fight this battle alone. Won't you help me, Mr. Jeffries?" she added pleadingly. "Won't you help me?" The banker was thoughtful a minute, then suddenly he turned on her. "Will you consent to a divorce if I agree to help him?" She looked at him with dismay. There was tragic tenseness in this dramatic situation--a father fighting for his son, a woman fighting for her husband. "A divorce?" she stammered. "Why, I never thought of such a thing as that." "It's the only way to save him," said the banker coldly. "The only way?" she faltered. "The only way," said Mr. Jeffries firmly. "Do you consent?" he asked. Annie threw up her head. Her pale face was full of determination, as she replied resignedly, catching her breath as she spoke: "Yes, if it must be. I will consent to a divorce--to save him!" "You will leave the country and go abroad to live?" continued the banker coldly. She listened as in a dream. That she would be confronted by such an alternative as this had never entered her mind. She wondered why the world was so cruel and heartless. Yet if the sacrifice must be made to save Howard she was ready to make it. "You will leave America and never return--is that understood?" repeated the banker. "Yes, sir," she replied falteringly. Mr. Jeffries paced nervously up and down the room. For the first time he seemed to take an interest in the interview. Patronizingly he said: "You will receive a yearly allowance through my lawyer." Annie tossed up her chin defiantly. She would show the aristocrat that she could be as proud as he was. "Thanks," she exclaimed. "I don't accept charity. I'm used to earning my own living." "Oh, very well," replied the banker quickly. "That's as you please. But I have your promise--you will not attempt to see him again?"