"It's like you to say it!" she broke in. "But look at the facts. Did you ever set me a task that called for the very utmost of my strength—perhaps more; and then turn coldly away, with the cruel word that I must win alone or perish?"
"It's not the same case at all," he remonstrated. "You're not fair to yourself. I'm a man."
"And I've called myself a woman," she replied. "After those weeks with you I thought myself no longer a shallow, unthinking girl. A woman! Now I see, Tom—I know! I have failed in the woman's part. But now I shall stand by you in your fight. I shall do my part, and you will win!"
Blake's eyes shone soft and blue, and he again held out his arms to her. But in the same moment the glow faded and his arms fell to his side.
"I almost forgot," he murmured. "You said that I must win by my own strength—that you must be sure of my strength."
"That was before I learned the truth," she replied. "I no longer ask so much. I shall—I must help you, as you helped me. I owe you life and more than life. You know that. You cannot think me so ungrateful as not to do all I can."
"No," he replied, with sudden resolve. "You are to do as you first said—as we agreed."
"You mean, not help you? But I must, Tom, now that I realize."
"All I want is another chance," he said. "It's more than I deserve. I can't accept still more."
"You'll not let me help you? Yet what the doctor said makes it all so different."