'Be reasonable, Robert; happen what may, we can always be dear friends.'
'Friends—again!' he exclaimed, sternly; 'you and I, Ellinor?'
Then his manner changed, for the greatness of his love made him very humble, and he said,
'Do you know what you are doing—do you fully think of it even? You cannot love this man, Ellinor, whom, I suppose, you are going to marry, as you loved me.'
'Marriage, Robert!' said she, blushing deeply now; 'how fast your thoughts run.'
'How?'
'If that is to be, it is in the future, of course—but just now——'
She paused with some confusion, as she thought of the injunctions laid by Sleath upon her.
'You cannot love him?'
'Perhaps not quite exactly yet, Robert,' replied Ellinor, not knowing really what to say, and feeling some shame at the part she was acting; 'but think of his position, and the place he can give me—a poor, almost penniless, girl—in society.'