"It is no shadow that I fear, but a calamity which has fallen upon us. I thought yesterday that I was not very far beneath you in birth, and that there could be no greater difficulties in our way than patience might overcome; but that was because I did not know. I am not your equal. I am no one's equal in the world—no one's that I could marry. I shall be always alone, and apart from other people in my heart, however they may see no difference; and if I cared for you a thousand times more than I do, I should only have a thousand more reasons for telling you to go away, and never think of me again."
"You dismiss me, then? Of your own free will, Lucia?"
"Of my own free will."
"And you will not tell me this strange secret which has changed you so?"
"No; there is no need."
"No need truly, if we are to part in this way. But you see that there is something romantic and unreal about the whole thing. I don't yet understand."
"No; how should you?" she said, half to herself. "I hardly can myself."
"Let me see your mother. I will come again, though my time is short."
"You need not. Mamma approves of what I say. Indeed, I cannot bear any more. Let me go. Good-bye."
She was growing of a more deathly paleness every moment, and the hand she offered him was cold as ice.