There was something in the magnitude of her generosity which
touched a tender chord and made her dearer to him than she had ever
been.
"I can make you very happy," he said at last, and Lucy replied:
"Yes, but yourself--how with yourself? Would you be happy, too? No,
Arthur, you would not, and neither should I, knowing all I do. It is
best that we should part, though it almost breaks my heart, for I have
loved you so much."
She stopped for breath, and Arthur was wondering what he could say to
persuade her, when a cheery whistle sounded near and Thornton Hastings
appeared in the door. He had gone to the office after church, and not
knowing that anyone but Arthur was in the library, had come there at
once.
"I beg your pardon," he said when he saw Lucy, and he was hurrying
away, but Lucy called him back, feeling that in him she should find a
powerful ally to aid her in her task.
Appealing to him as Arthur's friend, she repeated the story rapidly,
and then went on:
"Tell him it is best--he must not argue against me, for I feel myself
giving way through my great love for him, and it is not right. Tell
him so Mr. Hastings--plead my cause for me--say what a true woman
ought to say, for, believe me, I am in earnest in giving him to Anna.
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