er was the greatest alienist of his
generation, and I was trained under his eye. But in the meantime--"

"Yes. In the meantime, what of _me_?" I asked.

He winced as if he had been struck. "You are free," he said, in a
whisper.

"I am free to be free, and you're free to set me free. You never
asked me to marry you, in the first place," I agreed quietly.

Stupefaction seized him. He put his hands to his head.

"Why, Sophy! Why, Sophy!" he stammered. Of a sudden he straightened
his shoulders, and stood erect: "Miss Smith," he said, with grave
politeness, "will you do me the honor to marry me?" and he waited.

"It is rather a belated request, Mr. Jelnik. Besides, you haven't
told me why you want to marry me," said I, sedately.

"You are well aware that I love you, Sophy. And I think you care for
me in return. Why did you turn that coin when it meant 'Go,' and bid
me, instead, 'Stay'? Was it because you cared, Sophy?"

"Yes, Mr. Jelnik: it was because I cared. I cared enough to tell
a--a lie. And--I shall say yes to your other question, Mr. Jelnik."

But he shook his head. "Ah, no, my dear! You'd be called upon to
make too many sacrifices. I couldn't bear that!"

"A man needn't be worried about the sacrifices a woman makes for him
when she knows he loves her."

"Not in normal circumstances; not when he can give as much as he
takes."

"Hynds House," I said, "is costing me a steep and bitter price, Mr.
Jelnik!"

"Do I not also pay?" he asked fiercely.

"Oh, you have your pride!" said I, wearily; "Hynds pride!"

"A poor enough possession, Sophy, but all that remains to me," he
said gently. "Is it a light thing for Nicholas Jelnik to say to the
woman he loves, 'I cannot marry you: I am a beggar'? Is it such a
small sacrifice to give you up, Sophy?"

"It would appear so."

"You crucify me!" he said, in a choking voice. "Good God, don't you
understand that I love you?"

"I don't understand anything, except that you are going away from
me. And I have waited for you all my life," I said.

"And I for you! and I for you!" he said passionately. "Don't make it
too hard for me, Sophy!"

"If you go away from me," I gasped, "I think I shall die.
Nicholas--I can't bear it! It was easier for me when I thought you
loved somebody else. But now that I know you love _me_" and I
paused.

He took a step forward, but stopped. His arms fell to his sides.

"Not as a beggar!" he said. "Not as a beggar! Never that, for
Ni