“Nobody could possibly know the disadvantages better than I do!” said Rosaleen. “But ... we’ve ... liked each other for a long time, and nothing can stop us now. We’re surely going to be married.... And it needn’t be so bad, if you’ll help me. That’s what I came for—to ask you to help me. Will you, Mrs. Allanby?”
Mrs. Allanby was astounded.
“But ... Ah don’t see how you can expect me to help you!” she said, “when—Ah would prefer—for it not to take place.”
“But it will take place! That’s just the point! You’re fond of Nick. You want things to go well for him. That’s what I meant by making the best of a bad bargain.”
“Ma dear,” said Mrs. Allanby. “Ah wish you would listen to me. Ah’m so much older than you. Ah know—the world. Marriages like this can’t be happy. It’s been tried over and over again; people like you and Nick——”
“There never were two people just like us. Everybody’s different,” said Rosaleen, struggling with her thought. “Anyway, really and truly, Mrs. Allanby, it’s no use pointing out all that. You couldn’t say anything I don’t know. And, after all, I’m the one it’ll be hardest for. I’m the one who’ll have to struggle, and learn, and change myself. I’m the one with all the handicaps.”
She paused for a moment. She thought of her barren and desolate life, of the terrible future stretching before her. And this woman was asking her to give up her unique solace and hope, was ready to argue with this perishing creature as to whether it should seize the rope flung out as it drowned.
“Why!” she cried, appalled, outraged. “Can’t you think of me for an instant? What could I do? How could I go on—without him?... Why should I give him up? How can you possibly ask me to?”
“For his sake,” said Mrs. Allanby. “If you love him, you must be willing to sacrifice yourself.”
“I’ve been sacrificing myself until there’s hardly anything left of me!” she cried passionately. “And it’s never done anyone any good. People just ask me as a matter of course.... But not this time.... Why should I? He’s known me for years and years. He hasn’t cared for anyone else. Well, have I done him any harm? Have I had a bad influence?”