Page:Idalia, by 'Ouida' volume 2.djvu/102

Rh "While I have strength to keep my word, I will. I cannot say my strength will endure long—you put it to a hard test. How hard, God only knows!" She stood silent a moment; then she moved on with a negligent dignity.

"Pardon me—I put it to no test. I but told you the terms on which our friendship can continue. I told you, too, that it were better ended at once. I say so now."

There was far more of melancholy than of coldness in the answer, chill though it might be. One long step brought him to her side as she passed onward, and his voice was low in her ear.

"We said enough of that last night! I will keep my word while I may; till I break it, I claim yours. Make my misery if you must, but let me cheat myself out of it one little hour more."

She turned her head slightly; and he saw that unpitying though her words were, her eyes were humid.

"If I could spare you any pain, I would!—believe me, believe that at least," she said, with an intonation that was almost passionate, almost appealing; she could not have this man, whose life