Oh, my friend, why, think you, did I go so far round, why take so long to tell so simple a thing?
Was it because I hate you and have hated you all my life?
Was it because I wished to give you pain?
Was it that I wanted, now so late, revenge for that time when you saved my life, and from a fearful death?
Ah no!" "Forgive me," said I.
He went on, "My friend, it was because I wished to be gentle in the breaking to you, for I know you have loved that so sweet lady.

But even yet I do not expect you to believe.

It is so hard to accept at once any abstract truth, that we may doubt such to be possible when we have always believed the 'no' of it.

It is more hard still to accept so sad a concrete truth, and of such a one as Miss Lucy.

Tonight I go to prove it.