"Alfred," said Julia at last, "do not think me behind you in affection,
but wiser, for once, and our best friend. I do think we had better see
less of one another for a time, my poor Alfred."
"And why for a time? Why not for ever?"
"If your heart draws no distinction, why not indeed?"
"So be it then: for I will be no woman's slave. There's my hand, Julia:
let us part friends."
"Thank you for that, dear Alfred: may you find some one who can love you
more--than--I do."
The words choked her. But he was stronger, because he was in a passion.
He reproached her bitterly. "If I had been as weak and inconstant as you
are, I might have been out of Drayton House long before I did escape. But
I was faithful to my one love. I have some right to sing 'Aileen Aroon,'
you have none. You are an angel of beauty and goodness; you will go to
Heaven, and I shall go to the devil now for want of you; but then you
have no constancy nor true fidelity: so that has parted us, and now
nothing is left me but to try and hate you."
He turned furiously on his heel.
"God bless you, go where you will," faltered Julia.
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