"Pretend you are a man, then, long enough to say 'yes' without any more circumlocution. We will be married at Port aux Pins. Then we can take care of Cicely together." "I shall never marry." "Yes, you will." "I do not wish to leave Cicely." "She wouldn't care about that. She isn't even fond of you." "Oh, what shall I say to you?" cried Eve, her hands dropping by her sides. "Listen: it will be absolutely impossible for you to change my determination. But I am so horribly unhappy that I do believe I cannot stand anything more--any more contests with you. Leave me to myself; say nothing to me. But don't drive me away; at least let me stay near you." "In my arms, Eve." "Let me stay near you; see you; hear you talk; but that is all." "And how long do you suppose that could last? It's a regular woman's idea: nonsense." "Paul, be merciful!" "Merciful? Oh, yes!" He took her again in his arms. "I swear to you that I cannot marry you," she said, trembling as his cheek touched hers. "Since I've known you I haven't wanted to die, I've wanted to live--live a long life. But now I _do_ want to die; there is a barrier between us, I cannot lift it." He released her. "There could be but one.--I believe that you are truthful; is the barrier another man?" Another man? She hesitated a moment. "Yes." He looked at her. "I don't believe you! You are lying for some purpose of your own. See here, Eve, I don't want to be played with in this way; you love me, and I worship you; by this time next week you are to be my wife." "I must go away from you, then? You won't help me? Where can I go!" She left him; she walked slowly towards the lake, her head bowed. He followed her. He had paid no attention to what she was saying; "feminine complications"--this was all he thought. He was very masterful with women. As he came up she turned her head and looked at him. And, by a sort of inspiration, he divined that the look was a farewell. He caught her, and none too soon, for, as he touched her, he felt the impulse, the first forward movement of the spring which would have taken her over the edge, down to the deep water below. Carrying her in his arms, close against his breast, he hastened away from the edge; he went inland for a long distance. Then he stopped, releasing her. He was extremely pale. "I believe you now," he said. "All shall be as you like--just as you like; I will do anything you wish me to do." He seemed to be still afraid, he watched her anxiously. She came and put her hands on his shoulders; she lifted her head and kissed his cheek. It was like the kiss one gives in the chamber of death. He did not move, he was holding himself in strict control. But he felt the misery of her greeting so acutely that moisture rose in his eyes.