Page 107 (2/2)

"Will youan

angel to coel!"

"Mrs Richie, isn't it possible for you to care, just a little, and

marry me?"

"No, Sam: indeed it isn't Please don't think of it any more"

"Is it because you love him, still?"

"Love--hiht fro you once said,

that you didn't really love him But if you do--"

"My--husband, you mean? No! I don't I never did That's not the

reason; oh, why did I come here?" she said in a distressed whisper

At that he lifted his head "Don't be unhappy It doesn't littered "'All is dross that is not Helena'! I shall

love you as long as I live, even if you don't marry me Perhaps--

perhaps I wouldn't if you did!"

He did not notice her involuntary start of astonish his arms to the sky, stood motionless, rapt, as if in wordless

appeal to heaven Then his arhtfulness: "no; you would be human if you could esture, but he went on,

quietly: "Oh, yes; I am a fool I've been told so all my life; but I

knew it, anyhow Nobody need have told me Of course you couldn't

marry me! If you could, you would be like me And I would not want

that No; you are God to me Stay divine"