I don't know why God has let me love you; but I know that I must stay." Still I said nothing; and she, pausing a while, then went on: "Your ring will always be on my finger, your heart in my heart, the touch of your lips on mine.

But you must go and I must stay.

Perhaps I must do what it kills me to think of doing." I knew what she meant, and a shiver ran through me.

But I could not utterly fail her.

I rose and took her hand.
"Do what you will, or what you must," I said.