"No," I answered, "I do not."
"Why not?"
"Curses such as that do not exist, as your grandfather half perceived. You would not believe in anything of the sort but for your unhealthy and lonely life. Go out into God's sunshine, lead a healthy, vigorous life, and your dark fancies will dispel like mist in the summer's sun."
He shook his head sadly.
"Nothing can turn the curse aside now," he said, "only one thing could ever have done so."
"And what is that?"
"If my son had lived and married, and children had been born to him, then I should not be the last of my race, and the curse must go."
"But why may not you marry again?"
"I marry!" he exclaimed. "Man, much as I fear the horrible death that I daily think about, I would rather bear it than that another woman should take the place of my Alice. No, no, that can never be!"
"Then go out into the world and mix with your fellow creatures," I said, "I believe that even this visit of mine will do you good."