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?"

"What! Not see him once more? To say good-by?" she exclaimed. A broken
sob half checked her utterance. "Surely you can't mean that, Mr.
Jeffries."

The banker shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't want the newspapers filled with sensational articles about the
heartrending farewell interview between Howard Jeffries, Jr., and his
wife--with your picture on the front page."

She was not listening to his sarcasm.

"Not even to say good-by?" she sobbed.

"No