I hadn't the strength to--to leave you all, or--or to say no, if he ever asked me to my face what he asked me in that note,' "And then I tried to lift her; but she was kissing my feet, kissing my dress, sobbing out her life on my hands.

Oh, I was happy! My future looked very simple to me.

But my cheek began to burn, and instinctively I put up my hand.

This brought her to her feet.

'You are suffering,' she cried.