“I do, but it fails in its mission.”
“Tell me what he said.”
“It all amounted to this. I must forego the pleasure of seeing you, except very infrequently.”
“Is it good-by you are saying to me? Is it? Is it?”
“I fear it is. You must forgive me, but I have to show some little pride, and there is but one course open to me. It's not choice, but necessity that influences me in my decision.”
“Does he want to make me hate him! I shall.” She gave way utterly to her emotions and Philip did the best he could to soothe her as she stood within the protecting circle of his arms.
“I have exhausted my patience. I am tired—tired. How do I know it will ever come. It has been years already,” she said at last.
“It is no more doubtful than anything else would be. I am putting forth all my energy.”
“I am tired. I am tired.”
“I have this to reproach myself with. I thought in the beginning success would come sooner. I have kept on and on, and now I am as far from it as ever. It has been four years, Barbara, four years. I am so sorry, dear, so sorry.”