Jolyon remembered how fervently in the old days June had hoped that no divorce would smirch her dead and faithless lover’s name.
“Let us hear what Irene _is_ going to do,” he said.
Irene’s lips quivered, but she spoke calmly.
“I’d better give him fresh excuse to get rid of me.”
“Out of the question,” said Jolyon very quietly, “_sans amour_.”
He thought she was going to cry; but, getting up quickly, she half turned her back on them, and stood regaining control of herself.
“Well, I shall go to Soames and tell him he must leave you alone. What does he want at his age?”
“A child!” cried June scornfully. “Of course! To leave his money to. If he wants one badly enough let him take somebody and have one; then you can divorce him, and he can marry her.”
Jolyon perceived suddenly that he had made a mistake to bring June—her violent partizanship was fighting Soames’ battle.
“It would be best for Irene to come quietly to us at Robin Hill, and see how things shape.”
Irene looked full at Jolyon—in all his many attempts afterwards to analyze that glance he never could succeed.
“No! I should only bring trouble on you all. I will go abroad.”
He knew from her voice that this was final. The irrelevant thought flashed through him: “Well, I could see her there.” But he said:
“Don’t you think you would be more helpless abroad, in case he followed?”
June sprang up and paced the room. “It’s all horrible,” she said. “Why should people be tortured and kept miserable and helpless year after year by this disgusting sanctimonious law?” But someone had come into the room, and June came to a standstill. Jolyon went up to Irene:
“And would you like me to let your flat?”
“You won’t go back there in the meantime, will you?” This he said with an anxiety strange to himself.
She put out her hand to him. “I feel you’re a rock.”
“Built on sand,” answered Jolyon, pressing her hand hard; “but it’s a pleasure to do anything, at any time, remember that. And if you change your mind...! Come along, June; say good-bye.”
June came from the window and flung her arms round Irene.
“Don’t think of him,” she said under her breath; “enjoy yourself, and bless you!”
With a memory of tears in Irene’s eyes, and of a smile on her lips, they went away extremely silent, passing the lady who had interrupted the interview and was turning over the papers on the table.