"He never wants to marry, he hates the conventionalities and the bonds of marriage like you say you do.

And he asked me to forgive him for thinking I was different--different--to what he had expected.

He said he ought never to have spoken to me in the first instance, and that it was his fault, and he blamed himself entirely for what had happened.

Then he took me downstairs and put me in a hansom and said good-bye.

And--I'm not to see him--any more." It was a pitiable little story, pitiably told; punctuated with tears and choking breaths, with no heed for effect, nor attempt to make it dramatic or sadder than it already was.
When she had finished, she lay there, crying quietly in Janet's arms, all courage gone, all vitality sapped from her.
For a long time Janet waited, thinking it all through.