aw. That was all; he was no more. I do not believe I ever loved
him--my marriage was but the adventure of a romantic girl; but if I
once did, his subsequent abuse of me, his life of dissipation,
obliterated long since every recollection of that love. He is to me
scarcely more than a name, an unhappy memory. I told you that frankly
when I believed him still alive. We were friends then, you and I, and
I cannot conceive why his death should sever our friendship."

"Nor has it," I interposed instantly. "It was not indifference which
silenced me. Rather it was the very strength of my feeling toward you.
I was fearful of saying too much, of being too precipitate."

"You imagine I would fail to value your friendship at such a time?"

"Don't," I burst forth impetuously; "you talk of friendship when all my
hope centers about another term. Surely you understand. I am a man
sorely tempted, and dare not yield to temptation."

She drew her hand away from my clasp, yet the very movement seemed to
express regret.

"You speak strangely."

"No, I do not; the words have been wrung from me. I am in no way
ashamed, although I realize this is neither the time nor the place.
Remember you have been under my protection ever since that night we met
first on the streets; you are alone here with me now, but still under
my protection. I cannot take advantage of your helpless condition,
your utter loneliness. If I did I should never again be worthy of the
name gentleman."

"I regret you should say this."

"No more than I do; the words have been wrung from me."

"And we are to be friends no longer? Is that your meaning?"

"You must answer that question," I replied gravely, "for it is beyond
my power to decide."

Her head was again uplifted, and I knew she was endeavoring to see my
face through the gloom. There was silence, the only sounds the slash
of the boat through the water, and the slight flapping of the canvas.

"I am a woman," she said at last, "and we like to pretend to
misunderstand, but I am not going to yield to that inclination. I do
understand, and will answer frankly. We can never be friends as we
were before."

My heart sank, and I felt a choke in my voice difficult to overcome.

"I was afraid it would be so."

"Yes," and both her hands were upon mine, "in our position we cannot
afford to play at cross purposes. You have been loyal to me, even when
every inducement was offered elsewhere. There was a