“I know good people, but they do not satisfy me.”

“Philip Towne?”

“I should as soon think of loving St. John.”

“Tell me, do you love him?”

“Dr. Towne, I never thought of such a thing!” she said with quick indignation.

“You are a Mystic; Dr. Lake has named you true. Come, be sensible and don’t talk riddles; don’t talk like a book; talk plain, good sense; say yes, and leave all your whims behind you forever.”

“Loving you was a whim; shall I leave that behind forever?”

“Yes.”

“Then I could not endure your presence; it is that that keeps you near me now. It is not enough for you to love me; I should die of hunger if I did not love you.”

“Love me, then.”