"What's the matter, then?"
He took her hand and held it in a cruel grip before he spoke. His words came at last in passionate pleading.
"Oh, dear little girl, can't you see how I've been fighting this thing for months—how I've tried to keep away from you and couldn't?"
"Why?"
She breathed the question leaning so close that her lips framed a kiss.
"I can't tell you," he said.
"But you must! You must!" she pleaded.
Tears were in his eyes now. He looked away.
"A gulf separates us, child."
"How can it?" she whispered tenderly.