arked
emphasis,--"_if_ I asked you to marry me, what would you say?"

Rosina did not stop for an instant's consideration.

"I should say 'no.'"

He received the blow full in his face.

"Why?" he asked.

"I do not want another husband. I don't like husbands. They are all
alike."

"How?"

"You can't tell a thing about them beforehand; they always change, and
are different after marriage from what they were before."

"I shall never change," he declared positively.

"They all say that."

"But I speak truth!"

"They all say that too."

"But with me it will arrive;" then he added, "with me it will arrive
that I shall never change, because I shall _never_ marry."

His remark was such a complete surprise to her that she could hardly
master her shock for a moment.

"If that was the point that you were leading up to," she said finally,
"I'm certainly glad that I did not say 'yes.'"

He surveyed her, smiling.

"I particularly said 'if,'" he reminded her; "I said, '_if_ I asked you
to marry me,' you know?"

Rosina felt a strong inclination to bring the evening to a close. She
wanted to be alone and think.

"We must go in," she said.

"I also feel it," he answered.

So they went in. The hall and staircase were quite deserted. He walked
with her to the top of the first flight.

"Do we leave good-bye here?" he asked.

"Yes," she said smiling; "I think so."

He stood looking at her, and out of the depths of his nature various
phantoms strove into shape.

"It is well that I go," he said seriously; "after all, we are not
children, you and I, and however we laugh it is always that, that we
really are not children." He put out his hand and took hers. "I shall be
away, and the time will be long, and--" he paused abruptly.

Her eyes almost closed beneath the unbearable heat of his gaze.

"Shall you remember me?" she asked, faintly this time.

"Yes, much."

Then she opened her eyes and withdrew her hand.

"For how long?" she said as before.

He was still staring down at her.

"Who can say!"

"For three weeks? for four? for six?"

"_Je ne sais pas_," he said briefly; "if I think too much I must come
back, and that will not be wisely."

"We must not stand here," she said suddenly; "adieu, au revoir!"

"Yes," he replied sombrely, "we must part now."

He looked at her, and his eyes locked hers hard and fast for a long
minute. She felt ill, faint, her breath seemed failing her. Then--

He seized