But after that pause he said, with some effort: 'Of course I know that this has been in both our minds, Rosa, and of course I am in honour bound to confess freely that it does not originate with you.' 'No, nor with you, dear,' she returned, with pathetic earnestness.

'That sprung up between us.

You are not truly happy in our engagement; I am not truly happy in it.

O, I am so sorry, so sorry!' And there she broke into tears.
'I am deeply sorry too, Rosa.

Deeply sorry for you.' 'And I for you, poor boy! And I for you!' This pure young feeling, this gentle and forbearing feeling of each towards the other, brought with it its reward in a softening light that seemed to shine on their position.