He learned to bring out the horror, sadness, glory that abided in her heart.

And at last he cut himself off abruptly: "But I must save something for another day." That broke the spell.
"No, you must never come back." He picked up his hat and his stick.
"Mel, would you shut the door in my face ?" "No, Daren--but I'll not open it," she replied resolutely.
"Why ?" "You must not come." "For my sake--or yours ?" "Both our sakes." He backed out on the little porch, and looked at her as she stood there.

Beyond him, indeed, were his emotions then.

Sad as she seemed, he wanted to make her suffer more--an inexplicable and shameful desire.
"Mel, you and I are alike," he said.
"Oh, no, Daren; you are noble and I am...." "Mel, in my dreams I see myself standing--plodding along the dark shores of a river--that river of tears which runs down the vast naked stretch of our inner lives....

I see you now, on the opposite shore.
Let us reach our hands across--for the baby's sake." "Daren, it is a beautiful thought, but it--it can't be," she whispered.
"Then let me come to see you when I need--when I'm down," he begged.
"No." "Mel, what harm can it do--just to let me come ?" "No--don't ask me.