.

    Maggie s , I knoalking toget I o look foro s t o my  it less - it  deal about tient ts again - I get s me to t after I s  you call being benumbed ter - better for me - for then my selfish desires were benumbed.

    Piently.

    `No, Maggie, you , as Ive often told you.  you call self-conquest - blinding and deafening yourself to all but one train of impressions, is only ture of monomania in a nature like yours.

    ation, but now  down by ook her hand.

    `Dont t noo me , every obstacle ime - . I can live on  me, Maggie - tell me again, it is possible for you to love me. Dont look ao t cloven tree - it is a bad omen.

    Surned h a sad smile.

    `Come, Maggie, say one kind ter to me at Lorton. You asked me if I so kiss me. Dont you remember? And you promised to kiss me  the promise.

    tion of t cime came as a s relief to Maggie. It made t moment less strange to  as simply and quietly as s  ent.

    `You dont seem o say you love me, out of pity.

    `No, Pelling you trut is all nerange to me; but I dont tter to live o make you  do for your sake - I o  never ask t from me.

    `No, Maggie: I  anot place in your .

    `No, said Maggie, smiling, `I  make you  so long as t. But t,

    `But  is quite impossible er in secret - as hing else.

    `No, Maggie, I cant give you up - unless you are deceiving me - unless you really only care for me as if I ell me truth.

    `Indeed I do, P  as being tle girl - tom o me. And your mind i