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 His hand pressed more closely on hers, and, "You won't?" he asked.

The tone of doubt broke for an instant the spell that held her. She shook her head.

There was silence for a moment. She wanted to get up and run away, but as long but as long as his hand lay there on hers she felt powerless to move. At last it slipped away slowly and she drew a sigh of relief. Her courage came back to her and she raised her eyes. He was not looking at her now, but sat leaning forward, elbows on knees, hands loosely clasped in an attitude of dejection, his frowning gaze fixed on the floor.

"You are sure?" he asked in a low voice.

She hesitated. Was she sure? The world seemed suddenly to have grown topsy-turvy and nothing was certain any more. But,

"Yes," she said quite distinctly.

He sat for a moment longer in silence. Then he threw back his shoulders and drew