“Your secret is absolutely safe with me, Theodosia. No, it is not a secret! We have sworn that neither of us would lay a secret upon the other. I swear that to you once more.”
“And yet you upbraid me when I say I cannot give you up to any fate but that of happiness and success—oh, not with me, for that is beyond us two—it is past forever. But happiness——”
“There are some words that burn deep,” he said slowly. “I know that I was not made for happiness.”
“Does a woman’s wish mean nothing to you? Have I no appeal for you?”
Something like a sob was torn from his bosom.
“You can speak thus with me?” he said huskily. “If you cannot leave me happiness, can you not at least leave me partial peace of mind?”
She stood slightly swaying, silent.
“And you say you will not relinquish me, you will not let me go to that fate which surely is mine? You say you will not let me be savage? I say I am too nearly savage now. Let me go—let me go yonder into the wilderness, where I may be a gentleman!”
He saw her movement as she turned, heard her sigh.