“I know I am. I have been wicked and thoughtless to let you love me. I repent it now; but all I can do is to send you from me, and let you forget. That is the greatest kindness I can show you.”
He saw that there was no use pressing her now. She would only turn stubborn, and command him to go. And he did not wish to anger her, for since his rival had withdrawn from the field, he was determined not to give up hope.
Sighing heavily, he said:
“This is a cruel blow to me, the crueler from being so totally unexpected. I must accept my fate, but I feel that it was undeserved.”
Her generous heart was touched by his apparent humility. She felt a twinge of remorse for her apparent fickleness, and cried eagerly:
“Oh, I am so sorry I wounded you! Believe me, I am grateful for your love, though I cannot accept it. But—but—I will always be your friend.”
“That is better than nothing,” Royall answered, with a mirthless laugh; and, rising to go, he added pleadingly: “Then this does not mean utter dismissal? Though I am unwelcome as a lover, I may come and see you sometimes—as a friend?”
She feared instantly that she had made a mistake, but in the consciousness of his suffering, she could not bear to refuse. She remembered, also, that she would soon be going away, and that would end it all. So she said falteringly:
“Yes, as a friend—but—but—I should think you would be too angry to care to see me again.”
“Angry with you, Daisie, when I have loved you so dearly? How could such a thing be?” he exclaimed, with a thrilling glance, as he bowed himself out, taking with him the rejected ring, but vowing to himself that she should wear it yet if patient persistence counted for anything.