be his wife. Will you set me free from that promise?"

"No," said Ellen, merciless, because she was sick from fear.

"Ellen--Ellen--"

"Listen," interrupted Ellen. "I did not ask you for that
promise. You offered it."

"I know--I know. But I did not think then that I could ever care
for anyone again."

"You offered it," went on Ellen unmovably. "You promised it over
our mother's Bible. It was more than a promise--it was an oath.
Now you want to break it."

"I only asked you to set me free from it, Ellen."

"I will not do it. A promise is a promise in my eyes. I will
not do it. Break your promise--be forsworn if you will--but it
shall not be with any assent of mine."

"You are very hard on me, Ellen."

"Hard on you! And what of me? Have you ever given a thought to
what my loneliness would be here if you left me? I could not
bear it--I would go crazy. I CANNOT live alone. Haven't I been
a good sister to you? Have I ever opposed any wish of yours?
Haven't I indulged you in everything?"