"No," said Jerce, bitterly; "I am bound to say that at the first hint I gave you of my feelings, you recoiled, and have since held me at arm's length."
"Seeing that I am engaged, that is as it should be."
Jerce bit his lips. It angered him that she should be so calm, and so completely mistress of herself. "There is no hope for me, I suppose?" he inquired, with great humility.
"None. Anthony is the man I love, and Anthony will be my husband."
"Perhaps," said Jerce, under his breath, but she heard him.
"Why do you say that?" she asked, abruptly.
"There's many a slip 'twixt cup and lip."
"That's a very well-known proverb, doctor, but it does not explain what you mean."
"Then will you permit me to speak plainer?"
"If you are wise you will not," said Clarice, quietly. "We are good friends, doctor; why should we become strangers?"