“‘But you haven’t finished the picture.’
“‘No, sir, and never shall,’ he said bitterly. ‘Mr Burrows, I cannot stay. I—that is—I need not be ashamed to own it, I love your child with all my heart.’
“‘I knew it,’ I said bitterly.
“‘And you think I have imposed on your kindness. No, sir, I have not, for I have never shown by word or look—’
“‘No, you scoundrel,’ I said to myself, ‘but she knows it all the same.’
“‘And, sir, such a dream as mine could never be fulfilled—it is impossible.’
“‘Yes,’ I said, in a cold hard voice, ‘it is impossible.’
“‘God bless you, sir! Good-bye.’
“‘You will not say good-bye to her?’ I said harshly.
“He shook his head, and as I stood there, hard, selfish, and jealous of him, I saw him go down the path, and breathed more freely, for he was gone.