Gilbert touched her on the arm. "Come, Joan," he said. "The night's running away. Is it so hard to decide?"
But against her will Nature, to whom life is so precious, put words into her mouth. "I want you to try and understand something more about me," she said eagerly.
"The time has gone for arguing," he replied, stiffening a little.
"I'm not going to argue," she went on quickly, surprised at herself, deserted as she was. "I only want you to think a little more deeply about all this."
He drew his hand across his forehead. "Think? I've thought until my brain's hot, like an overheated engine."
She leaned forward. Spring was fighting her battle. "I'm not worth a love like yours," she said. "I'm too young, too unserious. I'm not half the woman that Alice is."
"You came to me in spirit that night in Paris. I placed yuu in my heart. I've waited all these years."
"Yes, but there's Alice—no, don't turn away. Let me say what's in my mind. This is a matter of life or death, you said."
He nodded. "Yes, life or death, together."
"Alice doesn't disappoint," she went on, the words put upon her lips. "I may, I shall. I already have, remember. This is your night, Gilbert, not mine, and whichever step we decide to take matters more to you than to me. Let it be the right one. Let it be the best for you."