"And though, when he went away, I've gone into this life, there's never been any one else. I've danced with them, laughed with them, but that's all. You believe me?"
"Yes, dear."
"Thank God for that! And now we must say good-bye."
"Good-bye?"
"I said—good-bye. I would not spoil your life. You know how proud I am, how sensitive. I would not give you such as I. Once I would have given myself to you gladly, but now—please go away."
"Impossible."
"No, the other is impossible. You don't know what these things mean to a woman. Leave me, please."
"Leave you—to what?"
"To death, ruin—I don't know what. If I'm strong enough I will die. If I am weak I will sink in the mire. Oh, and I am only a girl too, a young girl!"
"Berna, will you marry me?"