If you had so thought, I said that there was a mode of escape without falsehood or disgrace.

In saying so I must have seemed to urge you to break away from Nina Balatka." "You are all urging me to do that." "Coming from the others, such advice cannot even seem to have an improper motive." Here she paused, feeling the difficulty of her task-- aware that she could not conclude it without an admission which no woman willingly makes.

But she shook away the impediment, bracing herself to the work, and went on steadily with her speech.

"Coming from me, such motive may be imputed--nay, it must be imputed." "No motive is imputed that is not believed by me to be good and healthy and friendly." "Our friends," continued Rebecca, "have wished that you and I should be husband and wife.

That is now impossible." "It is impossible--because Nina will be my wife." "It is impossible, whether Nina should become your wife or should not become your wife.