“But I mean it. You must not come with me. I am stronger alone.”
“Why?”
“You can be very stupid—when you wish,” she cried, with another smile.
“Why?” I repeated. “Why stronger alone?”
“Because—ah, you know.”
“May I not wish to hear you say it?”
She looked up steadily, and said in a quiet, firm tone—
“Because when you are with me I weaken in my purpose.”
“That is just my object. I hope to win you from it altogether.”
“It is impossible. You must not go with me.”