“I cannot read it--I know it all--all. I love her--I cannot listen to the despairing cries of one whom I love. Poor Josephine! I was with her just now... oh, terrible--terrible!” “Ah, you have been with her? you saw her? She would not see me. And what have you found out? Do not tell me that she cares anything for him.” “I saw her; but what could I find out? She did not confide anything to me--she did not seek to do so. I shall never go again---- She frightened me. There was no word of Josephine in all she said. Have you not been to her?” “Been to her. How could I get that letter and remain away from her? I went in the forenoon--she would not see me--the man had received his instructions. That is why I was going to you. You must ask her to go to you to-morrow, and I shall meet her at your house. My God, cannot you perceive that I must see?--that she must be saved from her fate?... What am I thinking of--to talk to you in this way--commanding? What can you think of me?” “Do not accuse me of being unable to see how you love her. But I cannot do what you ask me. How would it be possible? You must write to her--persuade her to see you.” “And I thought that you were my friend.” He had stopped on the avenue and was gazing at her reproachfully. “I am your friend,” she said, “and therefore I cannot do this. If you were to meet her and hear her talk as I heard her to-day you would turn away from her forever. I know that.” “Turn from her--I--I--turn from her--her?” he cried. “Oh, let me have the chance--you will give me the chance?” She shook her head. “Then what am I to do?” he said. “Would you counsel me to remain passive--to allow her to marry that man whom she detests and to send her a wedding present? A diamond star would be a nice present, wouldn’t it? or a wheat sheaf--I saw one the other day--set with pearls and diamonds?” “Oh, you are talking now just as she talked--so wildly--so wickedly. Cannot you see that just at this moment you are both beyond the control of reason? You say things to me now that you do not mean--she did the same. If you were to meet now you would say things to her--she would say things to you--you would part from her forever.” “I would be calm. I would remember that everything depended on my being calm.” “Ah, you think so. But you cannot be calm even to me. And you did not see her as I saw her just now.” “Would to heaven that I had the chance.” “Do not say that. You would drown yourself there.” (They had reached the Round Pond.) He walked along in silence by her side--in silence and with bowed head.