I did not believe it for a moment." I suppose the difference in my tone and manner struck him, for he said, timidly putting out his hand: "This will make a great difference to you, Frank ?" "No," I said, pulling myself together and taking his hand; and after a pause I went on: "No: curiously enough it has made no difference to me at all.

I do not know why; I suppose I have got more sympathy than morality in me.

It has surprised me, dumbfounded me.

The thing has always seemed fantastic and incredible to me and now you make it exist for me; but it has no effect on my friendship; none upon my resolve to help you.

But I see that the battle is going to be infinitely harder than I imagined.