"You are making things worse," he said; "why don't you take your trouble like a man ?" But the rebuke only exasperated Cedric.
"Oh, it is all very well for you to talk," he returned angrily, "but if you were in my place you would not bear it any better.

You are so immaculate, Herrick, you can't make allowance for a poor miserable devil like me.

I don't believe you have ever cared for a woman in your life.

Good heavens!" as he caught sight of Malcolm's face, "do you mean that you have ever been in love ?" Then it was that the thought came to Malcolm--Cedric should know that he was a fellow-sufferer.
"I do mean it," he returned steadily, "and I also mean to say that your love is as water unto wine compared to mine; that is, if we can call such mad infatuation by so sacred a name." And there was a tone of contempt in Malcolm's voice that made Cedric wince.
"Don't be so hard on a fellow," he muttered.
"My dear boy, I would not be hard on you for worlds; if I speak of myself at such a moment, it is only that you may see that I am fully competent to sympathise with you." "Won't you tell me more, Herrick ?" "No, dear lad, I think not, except that my case is even more hopeless than yours, for the only woman I have loved or can love will soon marry another man," and here Malcolm's face looked gray and worn.

"I need not add," he continued hastily, "that all this is between us both." "Of course--of course," was the eager answer.