But,
dearest, my love is such that I would be everything fair and beautiful
for you, everything proud and good and noble for you if I could. But I
am only Hermy Chesterton, a Tenth Avenue girl, and--my brother--So I'm
going to send you away, back to your own world, back to your own kind
because--because I do love you so! Ah, God, never doubt my love,
but--you must go--"
"Never, Hermione, never!"
"You must! You will, I know, because your love is a big, generous
love--because you are chivalrous and strong and gentle--because I beg
and implore you if you have any pity for me--go--"
"But why?--Why?"
"Oh, must I tell you that--can't you understand?"
"Why must I go, Hermione?"
"Because," she murmured, her yearning arms close about him, her face
close hidden against his breast, "because I'll never--marry
you--now--but I love you--love you so much that I'm afraid--ah, not of
you. So, I must be alone--quite alone--to fight my battle. And now--now
that I've shown you all my heart, told you all my weakness, you'll go
for my sake--just for my sake--won't you?"
"Yes--I'll--go!" he answered slowly.
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