And I will not intrude further on your time.

Pray give yourself no needless hurry over your packing.

I may go to San Francisco this afternoon, and not even require the rooms to-night." "At least, let me make you a present of the souvenir as an acknowledgment of your courtesy," said Mrs.Van Loo, passing into her bedroom and returning with the photograph.

"I feel that with your five years of constancy it is more yours than mine." As a gentleman Demorest knew he could not refuse, and taking the photograph from her with a low bow, with another final salutation he withdrew.
Alone by himself in a corner of the veranda he was surprised that the interview had made so little impression on him, and had so little altered his conviction.

His discovery that the announcement of his betrothed's death was a fiction did not affect the fact that though living she was yet dead to him, and apparently by her own consent.
The contrast between her life and his during those five years had been covertly accented by Mrs.Van Loo, whether intentionally or not, and he saw again as last night the full extent of his sentimental folly.