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"Charmian!" I cried "--oh, Charmian!" and seized her hands, and,

despite her resistance, drew her intoher

close, forced her to look at me "And even yet?--whatback across my arm, she held me off

with both hands

"Don't!" she cried; "don't--you shao"

"God knows I am all unworthy, Charmian, and so low in my

abasement that to touch you is presumption, but oh, woman whom I

have loved from the first, and shall, to the end, have you

stooped in your infinite mercy, to lift me from these depths--is

it a new life you offer o--oh, Peter!--let o"

"Why--why did you come?"

"Loose me!"

"Why did you come?"

"To meet--Sir Maurice Vibart"

"To meet Sir Maurice?" I repeated dully--"Sir Maurice?" And in

that moment she broke from me, and stood with her head thrown