"You know already, so it won't be news. One was that he still cares for you--as always. He perjured himself once, because he thought it was his duty; but he has never ceased to care. The other thing was that he's changed his mind and is going back to his literary work. His novel, that was accepted tentatively, will be published next Winter. What else I learned is immaterial. I don't often venture a prediction, but in his case I'll make the exception. I believe that this time he'll make good. He has the incentive--and experience. Do you still doubt I know the reason, Elice?" "No. But that you should tell me this!" "I claim no virtue. You knew it already. I'm merely attempting to simplify--to aid the coming of the light." For the second time out of the shadow came the girl's face, her whole figure. "Darley Roberts," asked a voice, "are you human, or aren't you? I don't believe another man in the world would, under like circumstances, do as you have done by Steve Armstrong. I can't believe you human merely." The man smiled oddly; the look passed. "I have merely played the game fair," he explained dispassionately, "or tried to, according to my standard. Like yourself, I don't want to hate myself in the future, whatever comes. The hate of others--I'm indifferent to that, Elice." "And still you love me." "I shall never care for another, never. The time when I could, if it ever existed, is past." The white hands dropped helplessly into the girl's lap. "I thought I understood you," she said, "and yet, after all--" "We live but once," gently. "I wish you to be happy, the happiest possible. Does that help?" "Yes, but--" In a panic the face, the hands, retreated back into the shadow again. "Oh, I'm afraid of you once more, afraid of you," she completed. A moment the man sat still; then came his unexpected deliberate smile. "No; not afraid. I repeat you know me absolutely, and we're never afraid of things we know. I explained once before that that's why I went through the detail of telling you everything. You're not afraid of me in the least, any more than I am afraid of you." "No?" The smile still held. "No." "And still--" "I repeat, it isn't fear of me that prevents your answering." Like a flash the smile vanished. Simultaneously the voice dropped until it was very low, yet very steady. "You love me in return, Elice, girl. It isn't that!" From the darkness silence, just silence. "I say, you love me in return. Can you deny it?" Still not an answering sound nor a motion. Roberts drew a long breath. His big eloquent hands hung free. "Shall I put in words the exact reason you won't answer, to prove I know?" he asked. "Yes." The voice was just audible.