“What does it mean?” asked Jenny.
“Isn’t it clear? Someone has asked her to marry him, and she means to accept.”
“But you said she loved you.”
He shrugged his shoulders and did not answer. Then a ray of hope shot through Jenny’s heart, and with outstretched hands, tenderly, anxiously, she went to him.
“Oh, Basil, if it’s true, give me another chance. She doesn’t love you as I love you. I’ve been selfish and quarrelsome and exacting, but I’ve always loved you. Oh, don’t leave me, Basil. Let me try once more if I can’t make you care for me.”
“I’m very sorry,” he returned, looking down. “It’s too late.”
“Oh God! what shall I do?” she cried. “And even though she’s going to marry somebody else, you care for her better than anyone else in the world?”
He nodded.
“And even if she does marry that other man, she’ll love you still. There’s no room for me between you, and I can go away like a discharged servant. Oh God, oh God! what have I done to deserve it?”
“I’m very sorry to make you so unhappy,” he whispered, deeply moved by her utter misery.