"No man--that is a man--would marry a woman and let her run a business." "You are mistaken," she answered.

"One of the finest men I ever knew has asked me to marry him--and keep on with my work!" "Why didn't you take him up ?" "Because I didn't love him." She stopped, a sob in her voice, and he caught her in his arms again.
It was late indeed when he went away, walking swiftly, with a black rebellion in his heart; and Diantha dragged herself to bed.
She was stunned, deadened, exhausted; torn with a desire to run after him and give up--give up anything to hold his love.

But something, partly reason and partly pride, kept saying within her: "I have not refused him; he has refused me!".