"Because there is only one point on which I have a conscience. I have told
you so."

"Then why not marry me?"

"Because if once you have me you would hold me fast. I shall never be free
again." She drew a long, low breath.

"What have you done with the ring I gave you?" he said.

"Sometimes I wear it; then I take it off and wish to throw it into the
fire; the next day I put it on again, and sometimes I kiss it."

"So you do love me a little?"

"If you were not something more to me than any other man in the world, do
you think--" She paused. "I love you when I see you; but when you are
away from me I hate you."

"Then I fear I must be singularly invisible at the present moment," he
said. Possibly if you were to look less fixedly into the fire you might
perceive me."

He moved his chair slightly, so as to come between her and the firelight.
She raised her eyes to his face.

"If you do love me," he asked her, "why will you not marry me?"

"Because, if I had been married to you for a year I should have come to my
senses and seen that your hands and your voice are like the hands and the