He is a priest, or
going to be, and he's to take the vows of celibacy, so that it is
absurd for anybody to think of being jealous of him. If I seem
different to-day, it isn't any wonder after what I've been through."
"I beg your pardon," he said, coming quickly forward and extending his
hand. "I'm awfully selfish. Of course I understand that what you've
been saying isn't to be taken seriously. We stand as we did before.
Only," he added, his voice deepening, "you are to remember that the
danger of losing you has shown me how fond I am of you. Good-by."
He stooped and kissed her hand, and before she could speak, he was
gone. She stood where he had left her, hearing him leave the house, and
the tears came into her eyes.
"Oh," she moaned to herself, "I've made it worse than it was before. I
wanted to be honest, and he wouldn't let me!"
She stood a moment disconsolately, then she shrugged her shoulders as
if to throw off all care.
"Well," she told herself, "I've given him fair warning. Now it is time
to go and entertain grandmother's guest."
XIII
A NECESSARY EVIL
Julius Caesar, ii.
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