Without looking at her he said: "You're right. I'm poisonous ... but I love you. I'm the wrong man, but I love you. It's too quick ... only a few hours, but I love you. I hate too much, I hurt too much because I'm poisonous.... And I love you. I'd better go now. Goodnight." He searched blindly for his coat, ashamed to meet her eyes, and the real Lennox appeared, the Lennox she had seen by candle-light two hours ago. "Oh!" Gabby exclaimed in tears, "Oh darling ... darling! Why did you hide from me? Why?" He caught his breath. She came to him and he took her in his arms. After a moment he managed to speak. "Is this how it happens? Has it happened again?" She clung to him. "Now I'm frightened, Gabby." "Why did you hide from me? Why did you change like that? You were so cold and hateful...." "I didn't know I was hiding. I didn't know what I was doing. I've been half crazy all day." He raised her hand and pressed it against his eyes. "I dreamed about meeting you, but not like this. I was going to be at my best. You know? Brilliant and successful. Scattering money and charm in all directions. Winning you ... not whining my way into your heart." "No. No. You don't understand. No one wants to be won. We want to be wanted.... Needed." "God knows, I need you. God knows, I--" "Shhh." She seated him again, ran out of the room and returned with a warm moist cloth. She cleaned his hand and his cheek. Lennox seized her suddenly as she stood over him and buried his face in her body. "It's all right, darling," she whispered. "Don't be afraid. You're just used to taking, that's all. Nobody ever gave you anything." He looked up at her. "What happened to us after the dance? What did I do then? What's wrong with me? Was I mean dirty drunk? Did I--" He stopped. He stood up slowly. In a strange voice he said: "Mean dirty drunk. Clarence Fox from Philadelphia. The Quaker and the blonde. Yes. That's where the gimmick book is...." Gabby was alarmed again. She put her hands on his shoulders. "But why can't I remember the rest?" Lennox asked in terror. "The knot. What's so horrible about a knot? What is it? Why can't I remember what it is?" She tried to press him back on the chaise longue. He was too big to be forced but he responded instantly to her pressure. "You're in trouble," she said. "Let me help." He tried to smile. "Yes. It's bad. I want to hide things from you, but you empty me out. Let me keep a few secrets for a little while. I can't do it unless you let me." She nodded. He took a breath. "I'm afraid to break this moment. I'm remembering what happened two hours ago." She shook her head emphatically. "But I.... But something's got to be written down before I forget it again. Someone has to go somewhere and get something for me." "I'll go," Gabby offered. "No," Lennox said sharply.