He felt a singular mixture of sympathy
and dread; he wished to give her a proof of friendship, and yet it
seemed to him that she had now turned her face in a direction where
friendship was impotent to interpose. She half read his feelings,
apparently, and she gave a beautiful, sad smile. "I hope we may never
meet again!" she said. And as Rowland gave her a protesting look--"You
have seen me at my best. I wish to tell you solemnly, I was sincere! I
know appearances are against me," she went on quickly. "There is a great
deal I can't tell you. Perhaps you have guessed it; I care very little.
You know, at any rate, I did my best. It would n't serve; I was beaten
and broken; they were stronger than I. Now it 's another affair!"
"It seems to me you have a large chance for happiness yet," said
Rowland, vaguely.
"Happiness? I mean to cultivate rapture; I mean to go in for bliss
ineffable! You remember I told you that I was, in part, the world's and
the devil's. Now they have taken me all. It was their choice; may they
never repent!"
"I shall hear of you," said Rowland.
"You will hear of me.
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