k that I
could love you, Only remember what passed between us."

"Honesty was still possible, when you came to know yourself better. You
should have said to me in so many words: 'I can't look forward to our
future with any courage; if I marry it must be a man who has more to
offer.' Do you think I couldn't have endured to hear that? You have
never understood me. I should have said: 'Then let us shake hands, and
I am your friend to help you all I can.'"

"You say that _now_----"

"I should have said it at any time."

"But I am not so mean as you think me. If I loved a man I could face
poverty with him, much as I hate and dread it. It was because I only
liked you, and could not feel more----"

"Your love happens to fall upon a man who has solid possessions."

"It's easy to speak so scornfully. I have not pretended to love the man
you mean."

"Yet you have brought him to think that you are willing to marry him."

"Without any word of love from me. If I had been free I would have
married him--just because I am sick of the life I lead, and long for
the kind of life he offered me."

"When it's too late you are frank enough."

"Despise me as much as you like. You want the truth, and you shall hear
nothing else from me."

"Well, we get near to understanding each other. But it astonishes me
that you spoilt your excellent chance. How could you hope to carry
through this----"

Eve broke in impatiently.

"I told you in the letter that I had no hope of it. It's your mistake
to think me a crafty, plotting, selfish woman. I'm only a very
miserable one--it went on from this to that, and I meant nothing. I
didn't scheme; I was only tempted into foolishness. I felt myself
getting into difficulties that would be my ruin, but I hadn't strength
to draw back."

"You do yourself injustice," said Hilliard, coldly. "For the past month
you have acted a part before me, and acted it well. You seemed to be
reconciling yourself to my prospects, indifferent as they were. You
encouraged me--talked with unusual cheerfulness--showed a bright face.
If this wasn't deliberate acting what did it mean?"

"Yes, it was put on," Eve admitted, after a pause. "But I couldn't help
that. I was obliged to keep seeing you, and if I had looked as
miserable as I felt----" She broke off. "I tried to behave just like a
friend. You can't charge me with pretending--anything else. I _could_
be your friend: that was honest feeling."

"It's no use to me.