’Yes,—­I do.  Hetta, say a word to me.  Can it be so?  Look at me for one moment so as to let me know.’  Her eyes had turned downwards after her work.  ‘If Roger is dearer to you than I am, I will go at once.’

‘Roger is very dear to me.’

‘Do you love him as I would have you love me?’

She paused for a time, knowing that his eyes were fixed upon her, and then she answered the question in a low voice, but very clearly.  ‘No,’ she said,—­’not like that.’

‘Can you love me like that?’ He put out both his arms as though to take her to his breast should the answer be such as he longed...