The pallor of her face startled him.

Her hands were fast clenched.
"What is it ?" he asked, fearfully.
"I can bear this.

To have you love me--love me and go away! It will break my heart.

To stay here alone!" The words struck his brain as if they were cast in a fierce glare of light.

The suddenness of the knowledge they gave, the revelation they made, left him speechless.