You are very kind and good, but that could never be."

"Why not?" he asked.

"Because you are so far above me," replied the girl. "I and mine
are servants and dependents of yours. We are not equal; I must
learn to forget you," sobbed Dora, "and break my own heart!"

She could not have touched Ronald more deeply; in a moment he had
poured forth a torrent of words that amazed her. Fraternity and
equality, caste and folly, his mission and belief, his love and
devotion, were all mingled in one torrent of eloquence that
simply alarmed her.

"Never say that again, Dora," he continued, his fair, boyish face
flushing. "You are the equal of a queen upon her throne; you are
fair and true, sweet and good. What be a queen more than that?"

"A queen knows more," sighed Dora. "I know nothing in all the
wide world."

"Then I will teach you," he said. "Ah, Dora, you know enough!
You have beautiful thoughts, and you clothe them in beautiful
words. Do not turn from me; say you love me and will be my wife.
I love you, Dora--do not make me unhappy."

"I would not make you unhappy," she said, "for the whole world;
if you wish me to love you--oh, you know I love you--if you
wish me to go away and forget you, I will do my best."