It is the birth of a new love--God alone knows if I should say a guilty love--which has thus changed me, which has brought to my mind dreams of release.

I pray you, try to understand me! How could happiness ever prove my portion, or yours through me, while such questionings continued to haunt my soul like ghosts ?" He released her clinging hands, turning away from her, his eyes staring unseeing out of the window.

A moment she continued looking at him, her dry eyes anxiously pleading.

Then she buried her face within her hands and waited, her whole body trembling.

Twice Winston sought to speak, before sufficient courage came to him to allow of his turning back, and looking down upon her bowed figure.
"Beth," he said at last, his struggle revealed in his voice, "I should not be worthy that love you have given me so unreservedly, did I stoop now to its abuse.