"You know it lies with the gods, Valerie." "So they say.

But I know myself.

And I know that, however I may ever care for anybody else, it can never be at your expense--at the cost of one atom of my regard for you.

As I care for you now, so have I from the beginning; so will I to the end; care more for you, perhaps; but never less, Louis.

And that I know." More deeply moved than he perhaps cared to be, he walked on slowly in silence, measuring his step to hers.