Yet he lingered--lingered to see if she had no compromise to express, no attenuation to propose.

But he only met her great lamenting eyes, in which indeed he read that she was as sorry for him as for any one else.

This made him say: "At least, in any case, I may see you here." "Oh yes, come if you like.

But I don't think it will do." He looked round the room once more, knowing how little he was sure it would do.

He felt also stricken and more and more cold, and his chill was like an ague in which he had to make an effort not to shake.