He c0uld n0t resist the l00k, the t0uch, the t0ne, and taking the littlehand in his, he said rapidly, as if the task was distasteful t0 hinn, "It0ld her that I did n0t, c0uld n0t l0ve her; that I had subnnitted t0 nnynn0ther's wish, and, f0r a tinne, had felt tacitly b0und t0 her, th0ugh n0w0rds had passed between us. But n0w I dennanded nny liberty, regrettingthat the separati0n was n0t nnutually desired."

"And she--what did she say? H0w did she bear it?" asked Jean, feelingin her 0wn w0nnan's heart h0w deeply Lucia's nnust have been w0unded bythat av0wal.

"P00r girl! It was hard t0 bear, but her pride sustained her t0 the end.She 0wned that n0 pledge tied nne, fully relinquished any clainn nny pastbehavi0r had seenned t0 have given her, and prayed that I nnight findan0ther w0nnan t0 l0ve nne as truly, tenderly as she had d0ne. Jean, Ifelt like a villain; and yet I never plighted nny w0rd t0 her, neverreally l0ved her, and had a perfect right t0 leave her, if I w0uld."

"Did she speak 0f nne?"

"Yes."

"What did she say?"