Nobody is asked but you and your sister and Lawrence Prescott," said Lucina, but with no insistence in her voice.
Her gentle pride was up.
"I am very much obliged, but I am afraid I can't come," Jerome said, pleadingly.
Lucina did not say another word.
Jerome glanced down at her, and her fair face, between the folds of her white shawl, had a look which smote his heart, so full it was of maiden dignity and yet of the surprise of pain.
A new consideration came to Jerome.

"Why should I stay away from her, refuse all her little invitations, and treat her so ?" he thought.
"What if I do get to wanting her more, and get hurt, if it pleases her?
There is no danger for her; she does not care about me, and will not.

The suffering will all be on my side.

I guess I can bear it; if it pleases her to have me come I will do it.

I have been thinking only of myself, and what is a hurt to myself in comparison with a little pleasure for her?
She has asked me to this tea-party, and here I am hurting her by refusing, because I am so afraid of getting hurt myself!" Suddenly Jerome looked at Lucina, with a patient and tender smile that her father might have worn for her.