I told her so as plainly as I could find words, and set her crying, and made her unhappy to end a wonderful day.

But in some way she has got to learn that propinquity, tolerance, approval, affection, even----is not love.

I can't take the risk, after all these years of waiting for the real thing.

If I did, and love never came, I would end----well, I know how I would end----and that would spoil her life.

I simply have got to brace up, Bel, and keep on trying.