'You mean that it is impossible that you should love me?'

'Not in that way, Will.'

'And why not?' Then there was a pause. 'But I am a fool to ask such a
question as that, and I should be worse than a fool were I to press it.
It must then be considered as settled?'

She got up and clung to his arm. 'Oh, Will, do not look at me like that!

'It must then be considered as settled?' he repeated.

'Yes, Will, yes. Pray consider it as settled.' He then sat down on the
rock again, and she came and sat by him near to him, but not close as
she had been before. She turned her eyes upon him, gazing on him, but
did not speak to him; and he sat also without speaking for a while,
with his eyes fixed upon the ground. 'I suppose we may go back to the
house?' he said at last.

'Give me your hand, Will, and tell me that you will still love me as
your sister.'

He gave her his hand. 'If you ever want a brother's care you shall have
it from me,' he said.

'But not a brother's love?'

'No. How can the two go together? I shan't cease to love you because my