Though I cannot return it, I can be proud of your
love and feel grateful to you. I cannot tell mine. I cannot think
of it without blushing. But I can feel it, and know it, and be as
sure that it has trodden me down and got the better of me as you
can. But you can go out into the world and teach yourself to
forget"
"I must go away from here then."
"You have your business and your pleasures, your horses and your
fields and your friends. I have nothing,--but to remain here and
know that I have disobliged all those that love me. Do you think,
Larry, I would not go and be your wife if I could? I have told you
all, Larry, and now do not ask me again."
"Is it so?"
"Yes;--it is so."
"Then I shall cut it all. I shall sell Chowton and go away. You
tell me I have my horses and my pleasures! What pleasures? I know
nothing of my horses,--not whether they are lame or sound. I could
not tell you of one of them whether he is fit to go to-morrow.
Business! The place may farm itself for me, for I can't stay there.
Everything sickens me to look at it. Pleasures indeed!"
"Is that manly, Larry?"
"How can a man be manly when the manliness is knocked out of him? A
man's courage lies in his heart; but if his heart is broken where
will his courage be then? I couldn't hold up my head up here any
more,--and I shall go.
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