"What did you say?" she asked.
"I'm glad—for your sake," was his evasive answer.
He approached closer and held out his hand.
"Good-by," he said in a low tone.
Again she averted her head, and as she did so she stumbled against the table. Afraid she was going to fall, he caught her by the hand. Their hands remained clasped. She made no attempt to withdraw. He grew bolder and went still nearer. A strange sensation of sudden weakness came over her. She felt as if her will-power was about to succumb before a superior mental force. She loved this man. He was the first and only man she had ever cared for, and she was losing him. Her eyes filled with tears. What had she done that the happiness which other women know should not be granted also to her?
"Good-by!" he said again.
She made no answer. Bending forward to catch a glimpse of her face, he saw traces of tears.
"What?" he exclaimed. "You are crying!"
"Am I?" she said quickly, making a desperate effort to hide her face. "How foolish!"
"Why are you crying?" he demanded.