“And you believe I am trying to do what is best for both of us?”
“I suppose you are.”
“Then, for my sake, do what I ask of you. Don’t follow me. Don’t try to find me. Don’t try to learn anything about me. And if the day or the hour should ever come when I feel that your true happiness can be promoted, even by one little jot, through any word or act of mine, I shall give it to you. There, you must be satisfied with that, Barry; you must.”
As in the old days he had been unable to deny her anything she chose to ask, so now, under the spell of her gaze, he had no power to refuse her request. She rose from the table, still holding his hands in hers, and moved with him toward the door. He hardly knew that he was being led.
“And, Barry,” she added, “you will do me one more favor? You have been my friend, my brother, my loyal and devoted helper in everything. You will do me one more favor?”
“A hundred.”
“If—if he should learn what I said and did that day, will you tell him, Barry—will you tell him that it is true that I love him, and that because I love him I have dropped out of his life forever? Will you tell him, Barry?”
“Sure; I’ll tell him.”
“Thank you! You are the dearest friend I ever had, the most loyal and unselfish. There, good-night!”
She released his hands, put her arms up about his neck, drew down his face to hers, and kissed him.