"It
may be the same for me, but it couldn't be for you. I couldn't give you
any guarantee that it wouldn't happen again, you know. I might be run
over by a railroad train or a trolley car, or any one of a thousand
things might happen to me. There's always a risk."
Tears filled Isabel's eyes. "I don't believe you ever cared very much
for me," she said, her lips quivering.
"I did, Isabel," he answered, kindly, "but it's gone now. Even at that,
it lasted longer than you cared for me. Come, let's be friends."
He offered his hand. She put hers into it for a moment, then quickly
took it away. He noted that it was very cold.
"I must be going," she said, keeping her self-control with difficulty,
"Aunt Francesca will miss me."
"Thank you for coming--and for bringing the violin."
"You're welcome. Good-bye."
"Good-bye, Silver Girl. I hope you'll be happy."
Isabel did not answer, nor turn back. She went out of the gate and out
of his life, pride keeping her head high until she had turned the
corner. Then, very sorry for herself, she sat down and wept.
XXIII
"TEARS, IDLE TEARS"
"Say, Jule," inquired Romeo, casually, "why is it that you don't look
like a lady?"
"What do you mean?" demanded Juliet, bristling.
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