He began to plead and protest. "We will be so happy if you will only
care for me. Just think how different your life will be; you shall have
everything in this world you want, Lois."

She could not check his torrent of words, and when at last he stopped he
had almost convinced himself that she loved him.

But she shook her head. "I cannot tell you how distressed I am, but I do
not love you."

He was silent, as though trying to understand.

"Won't you try and forget it? Won't you forgive me, and let us be
friends?" she said.

"You really mean it? You really mean to make me wretched? Forget it? I
wish to Heaven I could!"

Lois did not speak. There seemed to be nothing to say.

"You have let me think you cared," he went on, "and I have built on it;
I have staked all my happiness on it; I am a ruined man if you don't love
me. And you coolly tell me you do not care for me! Can't you try to? I'll
make you so happy, if you will only make me happy, Lois."

"Please--please," she protested, "do not say anything more; it never can
be,--indeed, it cannot!"

Dick's voice had been tender a moment before, but it was hard now.