Page:The time spirit; a romantic tale (IA timespiritromant00snaiiala).pdf/227

 Harriet had no answer to give. The long silence which followed was almost unendurable in its intensity.

"Well?" he said at last, as he looked at her white face.

She shook her head mutely, unable to speak, unable to meet his eyes. Tears crept again along her eyelids.

"You wish me to decide?"

"Yes," she said at last.

He looked at her now with the light of pity in his face. Not at once did he speak, and when he did it was with a clear, a too-clear perception of the impotence of his words.

"The truth is," he said, "the problem is beyond me."