'But, Franklin, you will always be my friend.

That is not changed,' she said.

'Please tell me that nothing of that side of things is changed, dear Franklin.' And now that sincerity in him, that truth-seeing and truth-speaking quality that was his power, became suddenly direful.

For though he looked at her ever so gently and ever so tenderly, his eyes pierced her.
And, helplessly, he placed the truth before them both, saying: 'I'll always be your friend, of course, dear Althea.

You'll always be the most beautiful thing I've had in my life; but what can I be in yours?
I don't belong over here, you know.