"Then, if you care for me, couldn't you give me a chance—won't you trust yourself to me, Nora? Love will come little by little."
He had taken her hand again, and she felt that he trembled with restrained feeling.
"I have an idea that love never comes little by little," she said.
They were a long time silent. Arnold had buried his face on his arms on the cross-bars. Presently he looked up, and met her sorrowful gaze with pale composure.
"So it is to be Karlsburg?" he asked.
"Yes, I think so."
"Nora, I shan't give up hope."
"It wouldn't be fair of me to say 'don't.'"
"Still, when you come back?" ...
"I can't promise anything," she said, but her eyes were full of pity and kindness. "I am so sorry, Robert."