--Well; I'll do something yet
that you shall not despise!" And he turned to go.
"I do not despise you; I think you a generous, high-hearted
gentleman--nobleman in all senses."
Scoutbush turned again.
"But, again, impossible! I shall always respect you; but we must never
meet again."
She held out her hand. Little Freddy caught and kissed it till he was
breathless, and then rushed out, and blundered over Sabina in the next
room.
"No hope?"
"None." And though he tried to squeeze his eyes together very tight,
the great tears would come dropping down.
Sabina took him to a sofa, and sat him down while he made his little
moan.
"I told you that she was in love with the American."
"Then why don't he come back and marry her! Hang him, I'll go after
him and make him!" cried Scoutbush, glad of any object on which to
vent his wrath.
"You can't, for nobody knows where he is. Now do be good and patient;
you will forget all this."
"I shan't!"
"You will; not at first, but gradually; and marry some one really more
fit for you."
"Ah, but if I marry her I shan't love her; and then, you know, Mrs.
Mellot, I shall go to the bad again, just as much as ever. Oh, I was
trying to be steady for her sake!"
"You can be that still."
"Yes, but it's so hard, with nothing to hope for. I'm not fit to take
care of myself. I'm fit for nothing, I believe, but to go out and be
shot by those Russians; and I'll do it!"
"You must not; you are not strong enough.
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