"
After dinner, when they had returned to the drawing-room, Hanka said
suddenly:
"Andreas, you mustn't think I came here to-day thinking that everything
could be well again with us. Don't think that. I simply came because I
couldn't wait any longer; I had to see you again."
"I have not thought of that at all," he said. "But it seems the children
don't want to let you go."
"I have no thought of asking you again what I asked you for once," she
said. "That would be impossible; I know it too well. But perhaps you would
allow me to come and visit you at times?"
Tidemand bowed his head. She had no thought of coming back; it was all
over.
"Come whenever you like; come every day," he said. "You are not coming to
see me."
"Oh, yes, to see you also. I think of you with every breath. Ever since
that sail last summer; it began then. You have changed and so have I. But
that is neither here nor there. I have seen you on the streets oftener
than you know; I have followed you at times."
He rose and went in his confusion over to the barometer on the wall; he
examined it carefully and tapped the tube.
"But in that case--I don't understand why it is necessary to live apart.
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