"You conjure up a spectre. I have nothing to confide, and there is no trouble which you can relieve."
They walked on silently for a while, and then Gordon said:
"I am going away day after to-morrow, to be absent at least for several months, and I have come to ask a favor which you are too generous to deny. I want your ambrotype or photograph, and I hope you will give it to me without hesitation."
"I have never had a likeness of any kind taken."
"There is a good artist here; will you not go to-day and have one taken for me?"
"No, Mr. Leigh."
"Oh, Edna! Why not?"
"Because I do not wish you to think of remembering me. The sooner you forget me entirely, save as a mere friend, the happier we both shall be."
"But that is impossible. If you withhold your picture it will do no good, for I have your face here in my heart, and you cannot take that image from me."
"At least I will not encourage feelings which can bring only pain to me and disappointment to yourself. I consider it unprincipled and contemptible in a woman to foster or promote in any degree an affection which she knows she can never reciprocate. If I had fifty photographs I would not give you one. My dear friend, let the past be forgotten; it saddens me whenever I think of it, and is a barrier to all pleasant, friendly intercourse. Good-bye, Mr. Leigh. You have my best wishes on your journey."