Page:Gissing - The Nether World, vol. III, 1889.djvu/141

Rh forget what he told you, and what you repeated to me.”

“Did he give you any reason? "

“Yes. I don’t understand, though.”

“Come here by me, Jane. Let’s talk about it quietly. Sidney doesn’t feel able to help you as he thought he could. We mustn’t blame him for that; he must judge for himself He thinks it’ll be better if you continue to be only friends.”

Jane averted her face, his steady look being more than she could bear. For an instant a sense of uttermost shame thrilled through her, and without knowing what she did, she moved a little and laid the book down.

“Come here, my child,” he repeated, in a gentler voice.

She approached him.

“You feel it hard. But when you’ve thought about it a little you won’t grieve; I’m sure you won’t. Remember, your life is not to be like that of ordinary women. You’ve higher objects before you, and you’ll find a higher reward. You know that, don’t you? There’s no need for me to remind you of what we’ve talked about so often, is there? If it’s