Presently he shook his head.
"The stuff that doctors talk when they can do no good, and want to get
comfortably out of the house! Alicia!"
She bent forward startled.
"Alicia!--are you going to stick to me?"
His eyes held her.
"Oliver!--what a cruel question!"
"No, it is not cruel." He spoke with a decision which took no account of
her caresses. "I ought to give you up--I know that perfectly well. But
I tell you frankly I shall have no motive to get well if you leave me. I
think that man told me the truth--I did my best to make him. There _is_
a chance of my getting well--the thing is _not_ hopeless. If you'll
stand by me, I'll fight through. Will you?" He looked at her with a
threatening and painful eagerness.
"Of course I will," she said, promptly.
"Then let us tell my mother to-night that we are engaged? Mind, I am not
deceiving you. I would give you up at once if I were hopelessly ill. I
am only asking you to bear a little waiting--and wretchedness--for
my sake."
"I will bear anything. Only, dear Oliver--for your sake--for mine--wait
a little longer! You know what horrible gossip there's been!" She clung
to him, murmuring: "I couldn't bear that anybody should speak or think
harshly of you now.
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