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12 him. From me, too, in a different way. You cannot give yourself freely and wholly.

[Joins her hands softly.] It is a terribly hard thing to do, Mr Rowan—to give oneself freely and wholly—and be happy.

But do you feel that happiness is the best, the highest that we can know?

[With fervour.] I wish I could feel it.

[Leans back, his hands locked together behind his head.] O, if you knew how I am suffering at this moment! For your case, too. But suffering most of all for my own. [With bitter force.] And how I pray that I may be granted again my dead mother's hardness of heart! For some help, within me or without, I must find. And find it I will.

[Quietly.] Did she send for you before she died, Mr Rowan?

[Lost in thought.] Who?

Your mother.