Gradually she exhausted herself and lay still. “You ought to go,” she whispered; but when I rose to steal away, her hand clutched mine and drew me back. In a slow, weary voice she began to speak to me. “I can’t do what you ask me; I’m already married. I thought you would have guessed from Dorrie.” She paused to see what I would say or do. When I said nothing, but clasped her hand more firmly, she turned her face towards me, gazing up at me from the pillow. “I thought you would have left me after that,” she said. “It’s all my fault; I saw how things were going.” “Dearest, you did your best.” “Yes, I did my best and hurt you. When I told you that I was done yesterday, why didn’t you let me go? It would all have been so much easier.” “Because I wanted you,” I said, “and still want you.” The silence was so deep that I could hear the rustle of the sheets at each intake of her breath. “You can’t have me.” Her voice was so small that it only just came to me. “I belong to Dorrie’s father. He’s a good man and he trusts me, though he knows I don’t love him.” She sat up, letting go my hand. I propped the pillows under her. She signed to me to seat myself further away from her. “She is mine. She is mine,” I kept thinking to myself. “We belong to one another whatever she says.” “I shall be better soon,” she said; “then I can go away. You must try to forget that you ever knew me.” “I can never forget. I shall wait for you.” Then the old treacherous argument came to me, though it was sincerely spoken. “Why need we go out of one another’s lives? Vi dearest, can’t we be friends?” She hesitated. “I was thinking of _you_ when I said it. For me it would be easier; I have Dorrie to live for. It would be more difficult for you--you are a man.” “Can’t you trust me, Vi? You told me that he trusted you just now.” Her voice was thin and tired. “Could we ever be only friends?” “We must try--we can pretend.” “But such trials all have one ending.” “Ours won’t.” Her will was broken and her desire urged it. She held out her hand. “Then let’s be friends.” I took it in mine and kissed it. Even then, I believe, we doubted our strength. CHAPTER V--LUCK TURNS IN MY FAVOR