Part 22 (2/2)
”For years I have loved you, Muriel,” I said in as calm a tone as I could, ”but I have feared to speak until to-day. Now that I have declared the truth cannot you trust me?”
”No,” she replied, shaking her head determinedly. ”It is useless. I cannot love you.”
”Then you have tried and failed?” I gasped in dismay, looking into her white, agitated face.
”Yes, I have tried,” she answered after a pause.
”And do you doubt me?” I demanded quickly.
”Without mutual confidence there can be no love between us,” she responded in a dismal tone.
”But why can you not trust me? Surely I have given you no great offence?” I said, bewildered at her strange att.i.tude.
”I regret that you should have declared love to me, that's all,” she answered, quite philosophically.
”Why? Is it such a very extraordinary proceeding?”
”Yes,” she replied petulantly. ”You know well that marriage is entirely out of the question. What would your friends say if you hinted at such a thing?”
”The opinion of my friends is nothing to me,” I replied. ”I am fortunately not dependent upon them. No. I feel sure that is not the reason of your answer. You have some secret reason. What is it, Muriel?”
”Have I not already told you that I am loved?”
”And you reciprocate this man's love?” I said harshly.
She made no response, but I saw in this silence an affirmative.
”Who is he?” I inquired quickly.
”A stranger.”
”And you have confidence in him?”
Her eyes filled with tears, and her breast heaved and fell quickly.
”No, no,” she cried at last. ”Say no more. This subject is painful to both of us. Do not let us discuss it.”
”But I love you,” I again repeated. ”I love you, Muriel!”
”Then forget me,” she answered, in a low, hoa.r.s.e voice. ”Forget me; for we can in future be only acquaintances--not even friends.”
”Then you have promised your lover to end your friends.h.i.+p with me. He is jealous of me!” I cried. ”Come, speak the truth,” I added harshly.
”I have spoken the truth,” she responded, in a voice rather calmer than before.
”And you discard my love?” I said, in tones of bitter reproach.
”Yes,” she said, ”it is true. I discard your love. You have spoken, and I give you my answer straightforwardly, much as it pains me.”
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