"Go away now, dear little Fina," said Edgar, who felt all that Leam must feel at these inopportune words, and who, moreover, weak as he was in this direction, was longing for one last caress.
"I will go and send her nurse," said Leam, half staggering to the door.
Had anything been wanting to show her the impossibility of their marriage, this incident of Fina's random but incisive words would have been enough.
"Leam! not one word more?" he asked as he stood against the door, holding the handle in his hand.
"No," she said hopelessly. "What words can we have together?"
"And we are parting like this, and for ever?"
"For ever. Yes, it has to be for ever," she answered almost mechanically.
"Leam, why did you love me?" he cried, taking her hands in his and keeping them.
"How could I help it? Who would not love you?" she answered.
Again he gave a sudden heavy sob, and again the poor pale, tortured face reflected the pain it witnessed.