After all, your belief is a pitiless one; for, as I have tried to say, the man has not himself alone to consider, but those to whom his living is a perpetual shame and menace and cruelty insupportable--insupportable! Now, please, let us change the subject finally; and"-- here she softly laughed--"forgive me if I have treated your fancied infatuation lightly or indifferently.

I want you for a friend--at least, for a friendly acquaintance.

I do not want you for a lover." We both rose.

I was not quite content with her nor with myself yet.

I felt sure that while she did not wish me for a lover, she was not averse to my playing the devoted cavalier, who should give all, while she should give nothing.