She made another effort and ended with a sorrowful look at his narrowly-watching eyes.
"I can't," she said; and, in fear of his anger, took his hand to beg forgiveness, while her eyelids drooped.
Wilfrid locked her fingers in a strong pressure, and walked on, silent as a man who has faced one of the veiled mysteries of life.

It struck a full human blow on his heart, dragging him out of his sentimental pastures precipitately.

He felt her fainting voice to be the intensest love-cry that could be uttered.

The sound of it coursed through his blood, striking a rare illumination of sparks in his not commonly brilliant brain.

In truth, that little episode showed an image of nature weak with the burden of new love.