I've lost my strength.

What can I do?
How could I take mother's Bible, and run from my pretty one, who expects me, and dreams she'll wake with me beside her in the morning! I can't--I can't If you love me, Edward, you won't wish it." She fell into a chair, crying wildly, and muffling her sobs.

Rhoda's eyelids grew moist, but wonder and the cold anguish of senseless sympathy held her still frost-bound.

All at once she heard the window open.

Some one spoke in the street below; some one uttered Dahlia's name.