"Sir James would advise you not. So
do I."
She looked up softly.
"Your mother is so tired; she wants help. Won't you let me?"
Their eyes met. His hand trembled violently in hers.
"Why did you come?" he said, suddenly, breathing fast.
She found no words, only tears. She had relinquished his hand, but he
stretched it out again and touched her bent head.
"There's no time left," he said, impatiently, "to--to fence in. Look
here! I can't stand this pain many minutes more." He moved with a
stifled groan. "They'll give me morphia--it's the only thing. But I want
you to know. I was engaged to Alicia Drake--after--we broke it off. And
I never loved her--not for a moment--and she knew it. Then, as soon as
this happened she left us. There was poetic justice, wasn't it? Who can
blame her? I don't. I want you to know--what sort of a fellow I am."
Diana had recovered her strength. She raised his hand, and leaned her
face upon it.
"Let me stay," she repeated--"let me stay!"
"No!" he said, with emphasis. "You should only stay if I might tell
you--I am a miserable creature--but I love you! And I may be a miserable
creature--in Chide's opinion--everybody's.
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