"It would sound so heartless to tell you the real truth, Frank,"
she said.

"Oh, let me hear it!" he said. "I'm desperate enough for anything
--even for that, I suppose."

"I knew it would end the way you wanted it, Frank," she said. "You
were getting to mean more and more to me. I did not love you
exactly and I did not worry a particle when you were away, but I
sort of acquiesced in what seemed to be the inevitable. I know I
am horribly to blame, but I took it for granted we'd drift on and
on--and this time, if you had asked me, I had made up my mind to
say 'yes.'"

She said this last word in almost a whisper, frightened at the
sight of Frank's pale face. She ran over to him, and throwing her
arms around his neck kissed him again and again.

"We'll always be friends, Frank," she said. "Always, always!"

He made no movement to return her caresses. Her kisses humiliated
him to the quick. He pushed her away from him, and when he spoke
it was with dignity and gentleness.

"I was wrong to reproach you," he said. "I can appreciate what a
difference all this money makes to you. It has lifted you into
another world--a world where I cannot hope to follow you, but I
can be man enough to say that I understand--that I acquiesce--
without bitterness."