"Is it wrong to
keep this? He and I found the stone in two halves, on the beach,
the last day we were together, and had them set, pretending to one
another it was only play. Sometimes I think I ought to send mine
back; I know he has his, he let me see it one day. Do you think I
ought to give it up?"
"Why should you?"
"Because then he would know that it must be all over."
"But _is_ it all over? Within, I mean?"
"Jenny, you know better!"
"Then, Lenore, if so, and it is only your sister who objects, not
your father himself, ought you to torment poor Frank by acting
indifference when you do not feel it?"
"Am I untrue? I never thought of that. I thought I should be
sacrificing myself for his good!"
"His good? O, Lenore, I believe it is the worst wrong a woman can
do a man, to let him think he has wasted his heart upon her, and
that she is trifling with him. You don't know what a bad effect
this is having, even on his prospects. He cannot get his brain or
spirits free to work for his examination."
"How hard it is to know what is right! Here have I been thinking
that what made me so miserable must be the best for him, and would
it not make it all the worse to relax, and let him see?"
"I do not think so," returned Jenny.
Pages:
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245