Our paths diverge here." "I will not believe it, Miss Loring! This is only a terrible dream!" exclaimed Hendrickson.
"A dream ?" Jessie seemed clutching at the garments of some departing hope.

"A dream!" She glanced around in a bewildered manner.
"No--no--no." Almost despairingly the words came from her lips.

"It is no dream, Paul Hendrickson! but a stern reality.

And now," speaking quickly and with energy, "in Heaven's name leave me!" "Not yet--not yet," said the young man, reaching for his hands and trying to take one of hers; but she put both of her hands behind her and stepped back several paces.
"Spare me the pain of a harsh word, Mr.Hendrickson.I have said--leave me!" Her voice had acquired firmness.
"Oh, no! Smite me not with an unkind word," said Hendrickson.

"I would not have that added to the heavy burden I seem doomed to bear.
But ere I go, I would fain have more light, even if it should make the surrounding darkness black as pall." His impassioned manner was gone.
"I am calm," he added, "calm as you are now, Miss Loring.