I must still answer no.

I cannot love you as your wife should love you, and as some good, sweet girl will one day love you when you have forgotten me.' This is what Jerrie said to him, with much more, until he knew she was in earnest and felt as if his heart were breaking.
'I shall never forget you, Jerrie,' he said, 'or cease to hope that you will change your mind, unless--' and here he started so suddenly that the wet parasol, down which streams of water were still coursing their way to Jerrie's back, dropped from his hand and rolled off upon the bed of fine needles at his feet, just where it had been in the morning when Tom was there instead of himself--'unless there is some one between us, some other man whom you love.

I will not ask you the question, but I believe I could bear it better if I knew it was because your love was already given to another, and not because of anything in me.' For a moment Jerrie was silent; then suddenly facing Dick, she laid her hand on his and said: 'I can trust you, I am sure of that; there is some one between us--some one whom I love.

If I had never seen him, Dick, never known that he lived--and if I had known you just as I do, I might not have answered just as I have.

I am very sorry.' Dick did not ask her who his rival was, nor did Harold come to his mind, so sure was he that an engagement existed between him and Maude.
Probably it was some one whom she had met while away at school; and if so, Nina would know, and he would sound her cautiously, but never let her know, if he could help it, the heart-wound he had received.
Poor Dick! every nerve was quivering with pain and disappointment when at last, as the rain began to cease, he rose at Jerrie's suggestion, and offering her his arm, walked silently and sadly with her to the door of the cottage.