She was crying. He released her and stepped back from the chair. For an instant he stood there and then, lifting his hands and letting them fall again in surrender, turned away. “Oh, well!” he sighed, miserably. “Well--there! I see how it is. I was a fool, of course. I ought to have known. I am sorry, Esther. Forgive me, if you can.” She had sunk down into the rocker once more and was sobbing, her face buried in the cushion upon its back. He spoke again. “I hope you can forgive me,” he begged. “I didn’t mean to say those things to you--yet. Some day of course, after you had known me longer--and--but I had no idea of saying them now. It was your telling me you were going away--for years--and leaving me-- Well, it drove me crazy, that’s all. I am sorry. Of course I don’t blame you in the least. There is no reason why you should care for me--and plenty why you shouldn’t, I suppose. I don’t amount to much, I guess. Don’t cry any more. I am awfully sorry I hurt your feelings.” The head pressed against the cushion moved back and forth. “You haven’t hurt them,” she murmured, chokingly. “I don’t know why I am crying. I--I won’t any more.” She sat up, fumbled for her handkerchief, and hurriedly wiped her eyes. “Then you do forgive me?” he urged. “There was nothing to forgive.... No,” earnestly. “No, Bob, you mustn’t. Please don’t!... I--I think you had better go now.” He took a step toward the door. Then he paused and turned. “Then it is all over, I suppose?” he said. “You don’t care for me at all?” Her lips opened to form the No which she knew must be said, which she had determined to say. But when her eyes met his the resolution faltered--broke. “Don’t ask me, Bob, please!” she begged, in desperation. “I--I-- Oh, even if I did, what difference would it make? It is perfectly impossible--you and I-- You _know_ it is!” He was at her side again and this time he would not be denied. He held her close and kissed her. Then he stepped back and laughed aloud. “That is all I wanted to know,” he cried, in triumph. “You do care. That is enough. That is all that matters. Now let’s see them keep us apart! You are mine--and you are going to be mine, always, forever and ever, amen. Ha! _Now_ let them try to stop it!” She regarded him in wonder. “You can laugh!” she exclaimed, reproachfully. “You bet I can laugh! I was beginning to think I never should laugh again, but now-- Ha! They may send you to Paris or to Jericho, it doesn’t make any difference now, Esther--” But she held out her hands imploringly. “Please go now, Bob,” she urged. “I must think this all over, before--before we talk any more. I must. It is--oh, it is all as crazy as can be and I must think it over by myself.... You will go now, won’t you, for my sake?” He hesitated. Then he nodded.