" Then he checked
himself. "What nonsense I have talked--how abstract and remote!
And I have made you cry! Dear girl, forgive my prosiness; marry
my boy. When I think what life is, and how seldom love is
answered by love--Marry him; it is one of the moments for which
the world was made."
She could not understand him; the words were indeed remote. Yet
as he spoke the darkness was withdrawn, veil after veil, and she
saw to the bottom of her soul.
"Then, Lucy--"
"You've frightened me," she moaned. "Cecil--Mr. Beebe--the
ticket's bought--everything." She fell sobbing into the chair.
"I'm caught in the tangle. I must suffer and grow old away from
him. I cannot break the whole of life for his sake. They trusted
me."
A carriage drew up at the front-door.
"Give George my love--once only. Tell him 'muddle.'" Then she
arranged her veil, while the tears poured over her cheeks inside.
"Lucy--"
"No--they are in the hall--oh, please not, Mr. Emerson--they trust
me--"
"But why should they, when you have deceived them?"
Mr.
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