s your duty to
marry Lily, I wouldn't say a word. You would never know that I cared.
Never! I'd just stand by, and help you. I'd live in the same house with
her, if it would help you! But--" her voice shook; "you _don't_ think
it's your duty. You know it isn't! You know that it would make things
worse for Jacky,--not better, as Eleanor wanted them to be. So why
shouldn't you be happy? Oh, it's _artificial_, to refuse to be happy!"
Before he could speak, she added, quite simply, the sudden tears bright
in her eyes, "I know you love me."

He looked at the father and mother: "You wouldn't have me lie to her,
would you?--even to save her from herself! ... Of course I love you,
Edith,--more than anything on earth,--but I have no right--"

"You have a right," she said.

"I _want_ you," he said, "God knows, it would mean life to me! But--"

"Then take me," she said.

Mrs. Houghton came and put her arms around her girl and kissed her.
"Take her, Maurice," she said, quietly. Then she looked at her husband:
"Dear," she said, and smiled--a little mistily; "wisdom will not die
with us! The children must do what _they_ think is right ... Even if it
is wrong." She had considered the stars.

THE END

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Vehement Flame
by Margaret Wade Campbell Deland

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