I couldn't take it.

I have too many things as it is, and besides--" She was thinking of what she would say if Cowperwood chanced to ask her where she got it.

He was so intuitive.
"And besides ?" he queried.
"Nothing," she replied, "except that I mustn't take it, really." "Won't you take it as a souvenir even if--our agreement, you know." "Even if what ?" she queried.
"Even if nothing else comes of it.

A memento, then--truly--you know." He laid hold of her fingers with his cool, vigorous ones.

A year before, even six months, Aileen would have released her hand smilingly.
Now she hesitated.