"I have just said that I have lost the power of loving."
For a moment she was silent, her jeweled hands resting wearily on the arms of her chair, her eyes sunk to the ground.
"You made me an honorable proposal, Captain Stafford," she said at last. "You are an honorable man and inspire me with the desire to be honorable also. Won't you take back your freedom while there is yet time?"
"No."
"There are others—good women among whom you would find one who would love you as you deserve. I do not love you. All I can bring is a certain respect and friendship—that is all."
"I am grateful for so much," he said. He was thinking of Lois, and his voice sounded hard and compressed.
"If I marry you it will be because I must."
He nodded.
"Yes, I am aware of that."
"Aware of that?" she said, looking up into his haggard face. "How should you be 'aware of that?' Is my private life so public then?"