"Oh, yes," she admitted, "but then, you see, I was yours. It has to be different now."
"I want it to be different too," he said; and as by that statement he wished to convey important inner meanings, he spoke solemnly.
She looked at him radiant, half incredulous—the pious wish shining in her eyes. "Oh, Max!" she cried amazed, "has it come to you too, then? Has Our Lady——"
But Max shook his head. "Your Lady is not my lady," he gently confessed.
"Oh!" her voice went down into the deeps of despondency. "Oh! is that what you mean?"
A solemn nod from Max informed her that it was.
"You always told me that it would happen some day."
"I hoped I should have gone."
"And I," said Max, "am glad that you have not. Selfish of me, isn't it?" Then he kissed her hand again.
She began a homely mopping of her face.