But had he said much I should not tell you.'
'You are my friend,--but you are his too; and he, perhaps, is more
to you than I am. As his friend it may be your duty to tell him
all that I am saying. If so, I have been wrong.'
'Do you think that I shall do that, Mabel?'
'I do not know. Men are so strong in their friendships.'
'Mine with you is the older, and the sweeter. Though we may not be
more than friends, I will say that it is the more tender. In my
heart of hearts, I do not think that Silverbridge could do
better.'
'Thanks for that, Frank.'
'I shall tell him nothing of you that can set him against you.'
'And you would be glad to see me his wife?' she said.
'As you must be somebody's wife, and not mine.'
'I cannot be yours, Frank.'
'And not mine,' he repeated. 'I will endeavour to be glad. Who can
explain his feelings in such a matter? Though I most truly love
the girl I hope to marry, yet my heart goes back to former things
and opens itself to past regrets.'
'I know it all,' she whispered.
'But you and I must be too wise to permit ourselves to be
tormented by such foolish melancholy.
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