Page:Maud Howe - Atlanta in the South.djvu/225

 "Listen to me," interrupted Philip. "You say my heart is purer than some other men's. I know not whether this is so; but if it be true, it is because she has purified it, it is because of my love for her. That is my treasure. Whether I win her love or not, I have always my love for her. You pity me,—me, who would rather a thousand times give up life itself than outgrow my love. Happy or unhappy, it is more to me than all else. Could I believe for a moment that I could survive this love, I should pray that I might die to-night."

"It is not often that we women are loved like that, Philip," said Sara Harden very gravely. "I believe I shall think better of men all my life for what you have said to me to-night. You have lifted your whole sex in my estimation, mon ami; and this is not the first noble lesson that you have taught me, nor will it be the last. It is something for a man to feel that he is understood and appreciated even by a woman with whom he is not in love. Believe me, I know the value of your true heart and your honest hand. And now I must go inside. Good night to you; Dari is waiting for me."