"Promises will do no good in such a matter."
"It is almost a repetition of what you did before;—though of course it is not so bad as that."
"Everything I do is bad."
"No, Will:—dear Will! Almost everything you do is good. But of what use can it be to either of us for you to be thinking of that which can never be? Cannot you think of me as your sister,—and only as your sister?"
"No; I cannot."
"Then it is not right that we should be together."
"I know nothing of right. You ask me a question, and I suppose you don't wish that I should tell you a lie."
"Of course I do not wish that."
"Therefore I tell you the truth. I love you,—as any other man loves the girl that he does love; and, as far as I know myself now, I never can be happy unless you are my own."
"Oh, Will, how can that be when I am engaged to marry another man?"