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135 THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY. 135 <: I see. If I should cease to think of you for a few months I should find I could keep it up indefinitely." " Indefinitely is more than I ask. It is more even than I should like." ' You know that what you ask is impossible," said the young man, taking his adjective for granted in a manner that Isabel found irritating. " Are you not capable of making an effort 1 " she demanded. "You are strong for everything else; why shouldn't you be strong for that 1 " ' Because I am in love with you," said Caspar Goodwood simply. " If one is strong, one loves only the more strongly." " There is a good deal in that ; " and indeed our young lady felt the force of it. " Think of me or not, as you find most possible ; only leave me alone." "Until when?" " Well, f<r a year or two." " " Which do you mean 1 Between ons year and two there is a great difference." " Call it two, then," said Isabel, wondering whether a little cynicism might not be effective. "And what shall I gain by that 1 ?" Mr. Goodwood asked, giving no sign of wincing. " You will have obliged me greatly." " Do you need a reward for an act of generosity 1 " " Yes, when it involves a great sacrifice." " There is no generosity without sacrifice. Men don't under- stand such things. If you make this sacrifice I shall admire you greatly." "I don't care a straw for your admiration. Will you marry me 1 ? That is the question." " Assuredly not, if I feel as I feel at present." " Then I ask again, what I shall gain ? " " You will gain quite as much as by worrying me to death ! " Caspar Goodwood bent his eyes again and gazed for a while into the crown of his hat. A deep flush overspread his face, and Isabel could perceive that this dart at last had struck home. To see a strong man in pain had something terrible for her, and she immediately felt very sorry for her visitor. " Why do you make me say such things to yu 1 ^iie cried in a trembling voice. " I only want .to be gentle to be kind. It is not delightful to me to feel that people care for me, and yet to have to try and reason them out of it. I think others
 * ' But what will be my reward ] "