They could be so no longer.

She shrank from them with inexpressible fear, knowing they would bring what little blood she possessed to her face and very brow in tell-tale floods.

The one event from which her sensitive womanhood drew back in deepest dread was his knowledge of her love.

To prevent this she would rather die, and she felt so weak and despairing that she thought and almost hoped she would die.

If she could only go away, where she would not see him, and hide her wound! But how could she, chained near his daily presence by weakness and helplessness?
Thus through the long night her despairing thoughts went to and fro, and found no rest.