all the laughter died off his face and a look of blank
pallor came over it. And when she had finished, she waited for the
blow of his anger, but it did not come.

"Then all is over between us," he said with an effort.

And looking up, she saw that he was a forlorn man in a moment,
and fell to her knees before him with many pitiful prayers for
forgiveness. But he only raised her and said gently,

"Mistress Greeba, maybe I haven't loved you enough."

"No, no," she cried.

"I'm only a rough and ignorant fellow, a sort of wild beast, I dare
say, not fit to touch the hand of a lady, and maybe a lady could
never stoop to me."

"No, no, there's not a lady in all the world would stoop if she were
to marry you."

"Then maybe I vexed you by finding my own advantage in your hour of
need."

"No, you have behaved bravely with me in my trouble."

"Then, Greeba, tell me what has happened since yesterday."

"Nothing--everything. Jason I have wronged you. It is no fault of
yours, but now I know I do not love you."

He turned his face away from her, and when he spoke again his voice
broke in his throat.

"You could never think how fast and close my love will grow. Let us
wait," he said.

"It would be useless," she answered.

"Stay," he said stiffly, "do you love anyone else?"

But before she had time to speak, he said quickly,

"Wait! I've no right to ask that question, and I will not hear you
answer it."

"You are very noble, Jason," she said.

"I was thinking of myself," he said.

"Jason," she cried, "I meant to ask you to release me, but you have
put me to shame and now I ask you to choose for me. I have promised
myself to you, and if you wish it I will keep my promise."

At that he stood, a sorrowful man, beside her for a moment's space
before he answered her, and only the tones of his voice could tell
how much his answer cost him.

"No--ah, no," he said; "no, Greeba, to keep your promise to me would
be too cruel to you."

"Think of yourself now," she cried.

"There's no need to do that," he said, "for either way I am a broken
man. But you shall not also be broken-hearted, and neither shall the
man who parts us."

Saying this, a ghastly white hand seemed to sweep across his face,
but at the next moment he smiled feebly and said, "God bless you
both."

Then he turned to go, but Greeba caught him by both hands.

"Jason," she murmured, "It is true I cannot love you, but if there
was another name for