being if the opportunity were given. Oh, fool that be better to
let her go before she had become a part of my daily experience? I
began to fear I was courting my own shipwreck. She read my
thoughts clearly.

"Indeed you would be wise to decide against it. Release me from
my promise. It was a mad scheme."

The superiority - or so I felt it - of her gentleness maddened
me. It might have been I who needed protection, who was running
the risk of misjudgment - not she, a lonely woman. She looked at
me, waiting - trying to be wise for me, never for one instant
thinking of herself. I felt utterly exiled from the real purpose
of her life.

"I will never release you. I claim your promise. I hold to it."

"Very well then - I will write, and tell you where I shall be.
Good-bye, and if you change your mind, as I hope you will, tell
me."

She extended her hand cool as a snowflake, and was gone, walking
swiftly up the road. Ah, let a man beware when his wishes
fulfilled, rain down upon him!

To what had I committed myself? She knew her strength and had no
fears. I could scarcely realize that she had liking enough for me
to make the offer. That it meant no shade more than she had said
I knew well. She was safe, but what was to be the result for me?
I knew nothing - she was a beloved mystery.