“But he cares for you,” I stated.
“No, no,” she said, hastily, “don’t say that.”
Again we scanned each other’s faces. I spoke impetuously:
“You believe in Destiny. Well, so do I! But we are not weak instruments. You know what I mean. What law of society compels you to a bondage such as you hint at? You are a strong-minded woman. Now that you know the worst you have weapons to fight with. As soon as you look about you—when you come to face the facts, you will see this.” I struggled with my thoughts, then I threw wide my arms. “God knows what I am to say to you!”
She lifted up her head. “I have promised him to do nothing—to go on as I have been—he will not molest me.”
I half shrugged. “He loves you; of course, you believe that.”
“He may. He protested that he did, when I told him I must go my way.”
I heard her dully, my eyes on her face. She said a few more words brokenly, that I scarce gave ear to. At the conclusion of them I looked away to the purple wood vista. “Why did it please God,” I said, “to have you cross my path!”
Tears filled her eyes. “Those words did not sound like the words of a friend.”
“But they are said.” I moved away, she sat brooding. I mounted, and came to her side. “We are friends, we may be friends, surely! May I come to see you?”