He plunged to gloom. What was the use of knowing that there was light if he must go back to darkness? Was it not treachery in her to come so far with him, then leave him to himself?
“Effie!” he pleaded, and she consented to make things clear.
“Don’t you see, Sam? We’ve done what we came here to do. You’ve seen, you know, and you will not slide back. I won’t allow you to.”
“You won’t allow! Then you’ll be there?”
“I hope my spirit will be always there,” she said. “Do you doubt that?”
“Spirit?” he said. “You’re overrating me. You’re asking more than I can give. I cannot give what isn’t there.”
“I’ve put it there,” she said. “You cannot fail. You can’t forget.”
* “I’d not forget, but I should fail. It’s we, my dear. Not I alone, but you and I. Without you I am lost.”
She made a great concession. “Then, if you’re sure——”
“Quite sure,” he said, and she decided to indulge his weakness.