'Oh, that's too horrible,' she cried. 'Don't go, dearest; I can't bear it.'
'I must now. Everything is settled, and there can be no drawing back.'
She let go hopelessly of his hand.
'Don't you care for me any more?' she whispered.
He looked at her, but he did not answer. She turned away, and sinking into a chair, began to cry.
'Don't, Lucy,' he said, his voice breaking suddenly. 'Don't make it harder.'
'Oh, Alec, Alec, don't you see how much I love you.'
He leaned over her and gently stroked her hair.
'Be brave, darling,' he whispered.
She looked up passionately, seizing both his hands.