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She stretched out a rounded, quivering arers of the left hand on its flawless contour "Look!" she said, exasperated, "I a yet; the horror has not yet corrupted the youth in me I am fashioned for some reason, am I not?--for some purpose, some happiness I am not bad; I am human What poison has soaked intoso thoroughly poisoned that the antidote proves useless

"But I tell you men, also, that unless she find that antidote she will surely reinfect herself A man can not do what that man has done to me and expect iven theht between the eyes! Every law have I broken except that! Do you understand? That one, which you men consider yourselves exempt from, I have not broken--yet! Shall I speak plainer? It is the fashion to be crude But--I can't be; I ahed, her haunted eyes fixed on his

"Is there no chance for led name about with me is there no decent chance, no decent hope? Is there only indecency in prospect, if a man comes to care for a married woman? Can't a decent man love her at all? I--I think--"

Her hands, outstretched, tre, until Plank perforce stepped to her side and steadied her against him

So they remained for a while, until she looked up dazed, weary, asha her still incredulous, his ar from their first kiss, she did not seem to comprehend

"I can't turn on him," he stammered, "I--we are friends, you see How can I love you, if that is so?"

"Could you love me?" she asked calmly

"I--I don't know I did love--I do care for--another woiven to understand there is a chance Perhaps it is partly ambition," he said honestly, "for I aht of "

"No; only women can Who is she?"

"You won't ask me, will you?"

"No Are you sorry that I am in love with you?"

His ar her

"Are you?" she asked violently

"No"

"You speak like a man," she said tremulously "Am I to be permitted to adore you in peace, then--decently, and in peace?"