"You mean the dear girl will never care for me. How could any one expect her to—I couldn't—'tisn't in reason."
"Then, Tom, she certainly ought not to treat you as she does and lead you on."
"She doesn't lead me on."
"But her manner does not forbid your attentions, and you are too worthy, dear cousin, for anything but honest dealing."
"It's my fault—all my fault."
Elizabeth shook her head.
"You have the best heart and the worst head in the world," said she.
"You musn't blame her," continued Tom; "I can't stand that! Pitch into me as often and as hard as you like, you never can say enough, but don't blame her."
"Let us leave her share in the matter, then, out of the question," continued Elizabeth. "If you believe what you say, is it wise to run into danger as you do?"
"There's no help for it, Bessie; I should die if I could not see her dear little face! Oh, you can't think what I suffered while I was gone—I didn't talk about it—I don't even want to think of it; but, Bessie, dear, sometimes I used to think I should go out of my senses."