"And yet you have come in kindness—in mercy, rather."
"I have come because I am deeply interested in you."
"I am not worthy—I am not fit for you to touch."
"I am glad you feel so."
"Then why do you come?"
"Because I wish to help you to become worthy."
"That's impossible. It's too late."
"Perhaps it is. That is a question for you alone to decide; but I wish you to think well before you do decide it."
"Pardon me, Mrs. Arnot," he said emphatically, raising his head, and dashing away bitter tears; "the world has decided that question for me, and all have said in one harsh, united voice, 'You shall not rise.' It has ground me under its heel as vindictively as if I were a viper. You are so unlike the world that you don't know it. It has given me no chance whatever."
"Egbert, what have you to do with the world?"