“Yes, I no longer love you.”

“Yet, if I had been willing to revive that fantastic idealism—as you thought it—”

She interrupted him sternly.

“What was it?”

“Oh, a kind of idealism undoubtedly. I was so bent on making sure that you loved me.”

She laughed.

“After all, the perfection of our day was half make-believe. You never loved me with entire sincerity. And you will never love any woman—even as well as you loved me.”

“Upon my soul, I believe it, Rhoda. And even now—”

“And even now it is just possible for us to say good-bye with something like friendliness. But not if you talk longer. Don’t let us spoil it; things are so straight—and clear—”

A threatened sob made her break off, but she recovered herself and offered him her hand.