She was silenced for the moment, but when he had finished his counter-plea she looked up at him with deep-set glance and quietly said: "Ben, it's all wrong. It was wrong from the very beginning. You are lashing yourself into uttering these beautiful words, and you do not realize what you are saying. I am too old for you--Now listen--it's true! I'm twenty years older in spirit. I haven't been really well for ten years. You talk of fighting this. Haven't I fought? I've danced when I should have been in bed. I've had a premonition of early decay for years--that's why I've been so reckless of my strength. I couldn't bear to let my youth pass dully--and now it's gone! Wait!--I've deceived you in other ways. I've been full of black thoughts, I've been jealous and selfish all along. You deserve the loveliest girl in the world, and it is a cruel shame for me to stand in the way of your happiness just to have you light my darkness for a few hours. I know what you want to say--you think you can be happy with me. Ben, it's only your foolish sense of honor that keeps you loyal to me--I don't want that--I won't have it! Take back your pledge." She pushed away from him and twisted a ring from her finger. "Take this, dear boy, you are absolutely free. Go and be happy." He drew back from her hand in pain and bewilderment. "Alice, you are crazy to say such things to me." He studied her with suffering in his eyes. "You are delirious. I am going to send the doctor to you at once." "No, I'm not delirious. I know only too well what I'm saying--I have made my decision. I will never wear this ring again." She turned his words against himself. "You must not marry a crazy woman." "I didn't mean that--you know what I meant. All you say is morbid and unreasonable, and I will not listen to it. You are clouded by some sick fancy to-day, and I will go away and send a physician to cure you of your madness." She thrust the ring into his hand and rose, her face tense, her eyes wonderfully big and luminous. She seemed at the moment to renew her health and to recover the imperious grace of her radiant youth as she exaltedly said: "Now I am free! You must ask me all over again--and when you do, I will say _no_." He sat looking up at her, too bewildered, too much alarmed to find words for reply. He really thought that she had gone suddenly mad--and yet all that she said was frightfully reasonable. In his heart he knew that she was uttering the truth. Their marriage was now impossible--a bridal veil over that face was horrifying to think upon. She went on: "Now run away--I'm going to cry in a moment and I don't want you to see me do it. Please go!" He rose stiffly, and when he spoke his voice was quivering with anxiety. "I am going to send Julia to you instantly." "No, you're not. I won't see her if you do. She can't help me--nobody can, but you--and I won't let you even see me any more. I'm going home to Chester to-morrow; so kiss me good-bye--and go."