"
"If it should succeed, it will make a great difference in your
position, won't it?"
"It might," he replied, looking away.
She sat with her eyes fixed on the ground. She wished to continue,
but something stayed her.
"I don't much count upon it," Waymark said, when he could no longer
endure the silence. "We mustn't base any hopes on that."
He rose; the need of changing his attitude seemed imperative.
"Must you go?" Maud asked, looking up at him with eyes which spoke
all that her voice failed to utter.
He moved his head affirmatively, and held out his hand to raise her.
She obeyed his summons, and stood up before him; her eyes had fixed
themselves upon his; he could not avoid their strange gaze.
"Good-bye," he said.
Her free hand rose to his shoulder, upon which it scarcely rested.
He could not escape her eyes, though to meet them tortured him. Her
lips were moving, but he could distinguish no syllable; they moved
again, and he could just gather the sense of her whisper.
"Do you love me?"
An immense pity thrilled through him. He put his arm about her, held
her closely, and pressed his lips against her cheek. She reddened,
and hid her face against him.
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