I shall leave
to-morrow, Gretchen. I shall feel as Adam did when he went forth from
Eden. Whatever your place in this world is it is far above mine. I
am, in truth, a penniless adventurer. The gulf between us cannot be
bridged."
"No," said Gretchen, the smile leaving her lips, "the gulf cannot be
bridged. You are a penniless adventurer, and I am a fugitive from--the
law, the King, or what you will. You are a man; man forgets. You have
just illustrated the fact. His memory and his promises are like the
smoke; they fade away but soon. I shall be sorry to have you go, but
it is best so."
"Do you love any one else?"
"I do not; I love no one in the sense you mean. It was not written
that I should love any man."
"Gretchen, who are you, and what have you done?"
"What have I done? Nothing! Who am I? Nobody!"
"Is that the only answer you can give?"
"It is the only answer I will give."
There was something in Gretchen's face which awed me. It was power and
resolution, two things man seldom sees in a woman's face.
"Supposing, Gretchen, that I should take you in my arms and kiss you?"
I was growing reckless because I felt awed, which seems rather a
remarkable statement.
Pages:
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154