“I do not wish to leave Cicely.”
“She wouldn’t care about that. She isn’t even fond of you.”
“Oh, what shall I say to you?” cried Eve, her hands dropping by her sides. “Listen: it will be absolutely impossible for you to change my determination. But I am so horribly unhappy that I do believe I cannot stand anything more—any more contests with you. Leave me to myself; say nothing to me. But don’t drive me away; at least let me stay near you.”
“In my arms, Eve.”
“Let me stay near you; see you; hear you talk; but that is all.”
“And how long do you suppose that could last? It’s a regular woman’s idea: nonsense.”
“Paul, be merciful!”
“Merciful? Oh, yes!” He took her again in his arms.
“I swear to you that I cannot marry you,” she said, trembling as his cheek touched hers. “Since I’ve known you I haven’t wanted to die, I’ve wanted to live—live a long life. But now I do want to die; there is a barrier between us, I cannot lift it.”