"Yes," he said, "_that is_ Valerie. I'm not worth the anxiety, the sorrow that I have brought her. I'm not worth marrying; and I'm not worth a heavier sacrifice.... I'm trying to think less of myself, Rita, and more of her.... Perhaps, if I knew she were happy, I could stand--losing her.... If she could be--without me--" He checked himself, for the struggle was unnerving him; then he set his face firmly and looked straight at Rita. "Do you believe she could forget me and be contented and tranquil--if I gave her the chance?" "Are _you_ talking of self-sacrifice for _her_ sake?" He drew a deep, uneven breath: "I--suppose it's--that." "You mean that you're willing to eliminate yourself and give her an opportunity to see a little of the world--a little of its order and tranquillity and quieter happiness?--a chance to meet interesting women and attractive men of her own age--as she is certain to do through her intimacy with the Countess d'Enver?" "Yes," he said, "that is what must be done.... I've been blind--and rottenly selfish. I did not mean to be.... I've tried to force her--I have done nothing else since I fell in love with her, but force her toward people whom she has a perfect right not to care for--even if they happen to be my own people. She has felt nothing but a steady and stupid pressure from me;--heard from me nothing except importunities--the merciless, obstinate urging of my own views--which, God forgive me, I thought were the only views because they were respectable!" He stood, head lowered, nervously clenching and unclenching his hands. "It was not for her own sake--that's the worst of it! It was for my sake--because I've had respectability inculcated until I can't conceive of my doing anything not respectable.... Once, something else got away with me--and I gave it rein for a moment--until checked.... I'm really no different from other men." "I think you are beginning to be, Kelly." "Am I? I don't know. But the worst of it was my selfishness--my fixed idea that her marrying me was the _only_ salvation for her.... I never thought of giving her a chance of seeing other people--other men--better men--of seeing a tranquil, well-ordered world--of being in it and of it. I behaved as though my world--the fragment inhabited by my friends and family--was the only alternative to this one. I've been a fool, Rita; and a cruel one." "No, only an average man, Kelly.... If I give you Valerie's address, would you write and give her her freedom--for her own sake?--the freedom to try life in that well-ordered world we speak of?... Because she is very young. Life is all before her. Who can foretell what friends she may be destined to make; what opportunities she may have. I care a great deal for you, Kelly; but I love Valerie.... And, there _are_ other men in the world after all;--but there is only one Valerie.... And--_how truly do you love her_?" "Enough," he said under his breath. "Enough to--leave her alone?" "Yes."