So they came to Palisade Walk and turned into it. Though the moon was not yet up, the effulgence of its approach made a halo above the city. Manhattan was a line of constellations the riverway a gulf of darkness in which were scattered stars. Along the parapet, shadowy couples, mostly lovers, formed little ghostly groups, while here and there was the point of light of a cigarette or cigar. They came to a halt, Jennie leaning against one of the dragon’s teeth, looking over at the city, Bob standing a little back from her. "I’ve never been here at night before," he said. "I’d no idea it was so beautiful." "We don’t come very often ourselves. We live so near that I suppose we’re used to it." "We had some wonderful evenings at Sugar Maple Point; but that was another kind of thing." She assembled her forces without turning to look at him or making any change in her tone. "I suppose you talked to your mother while you were up there?" "Oh, of course!" "About me?" Divining what was coming, he was on his guard. "You were mentioned—naturally." "And she told you things?" "Some things." "Some things about me that—that were new to you?" "Yes; some things about you that were new to me." "Did she tell you—everything?" "I’m not in a position to say that it was everything; but—but I rather think it was. What of it?" "Oh—only, that—that I’m as bad as she said I was. I—I wanted you to know that it was true." The long stillness was broken only by a moan like that of a wounded monster from a ferryboat far away. "Why do you want me to know that?" he asked, at length. "So that you’ll see now that when—when everything is over about Teddy—you’ll be—you’ll be free." "But suppose I don’t want to be free?" "But I want it for you." "Why?" "Oh, it’s very simple." She turned, leaning with her back to the rock. "It’s just this, Bob—I’m not fit to be your wife. I never was fit. I never shall be fit. There it is in a nutshell. It isn’t education and social things that I’m talking about. I’m—I’m too—I don’t know how to put it—but you’re so big—" "We’ll drop all that, Jennie, if you don’t mind, because it isn’t a case of fitness on either your part or mine; it’s one of love." She hung her head. "Oh, love! I—I don’t think I—I know what it is." "I’m sure you don’t. It’s what I’ve told you. I want to show you what it’s like. Do you know what I said to the old lady when she got off those things? She didn’t want to do it, mind you," he hastened to explain. "She wanted to keep your secrets and be true to you—but I dragged them out of her. And do you know what I said to her? Well, I’m going to repeat it to you now. I said I wouldn’t believe anything against you—not even on your own evidence." "Is that love, Bob—or is it just being stubborn?" "I shall let you find that out for yourself—as we go on." "Oh! as we go on?"