But the hand on my hand was cold. "I love you a great deal,
Sophy," she whispered. "More than anybody else in the world, I
think."
"And was it because you loved me, dear girl, that you put the absurd
notion of asking me to marry him into Doctor Geddes's head?"
"Absurd notion?" repeated Alicia. "Absurd notion? But he asked you!
Didn't he ask you?"
"As to that, he told me I could marry him if I wanted to," I
admitted. "Oh, Leetchy, it was funny, though! If you could have seen
the poor dear, trying to martyr himself, just to oblige you--"
"You _refused_ him?" breathlessly.
"Of course. There wasn't anything to say but 'No.'"
"But--I saw--"
"You saw him kiss me on the cheek? Honey, that wasn't love: that was
gratitude!"
"I don't understand!" stammered Alicia, twisting her hands. "Why,
you cared for him--I thought you cared."
"Of course I care for him! But not like that! Good heavens, Alicia,
however did you get such a notion? My dear, if I loved you less, or
him more, I should never, never be able to forgive either of you. As
it is, we'll forget it."
At that Alicia began to cry.
"Oh, what have I done?" she whimpered.
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