"No, no, she doesn't understand. I love Laurence, and he is good, though—though in some ways.... Nobody is perfect, you know, and we shouldn't stop loving people just because they aren't altogether—what we would like.... We ought to try to help them, I know you think so—"
"You think you can help him, then?"
"I hope so, I—"
"Do you think you're strong enough to help another?"
Mary's bright look wavered a little, was shadowed.
"Aren't you too confident? Perhaps you have a little too much pride in yourself. You may lose what you have instead of helping another."
She bowed her head, turning pale under this reproof, wincing, but she said humbly:
"You will help me."
"I'm not sure that I can," said Hilary sharply. "When you are married, it will be different—you may not be able to do as you would like, live as you would—"