“I am more thankful than I can express that you feel so,” he said.  “I would be of use, of comfort, to you if I knew how, Edith.”

“You are my only comfort,” she said.  “I tried to send you away.  I thought I didn’t want you.  I thought I couldn’t bear the sight of you, because of what you have seen me suffer.  But I went to the root of this thing last night, Hart, and with self in mind, as usual, I found that I could not live without you.”

Henderson began breathing lightly.  He was afraid to speak or move.

“I faced the fact that all this is my own fault,” continued Edith, “and came through my own selfishness.  Then I went farther back and realized that I am as I was reared.  I don’t want to blame my parents, but I was carefully trained into what I am.  If Elnora Comstock had been like me, Phil would have come back to me.  I can see how selfish I seem to him, and how I appear to you, if you would admit it.”

“Edith,” said Henderson desperately, “there is no use to try to deceive you.  You have known from the first that I found you wrong in this.  But it’s the first time in your life I ever thought you wrong about anything—­and it’s the only time I ever shall.  Understand, I think you the bravest, most beautiful woman on earth, the one most worth loving.”

“I’m not to be considered in the same class with her.”

“I don’t grant that, but if I did, you, must remember how I compare with Phil.  He’s my superior at every point.  There’s no use in discussing that.  You wanted to see me, Edith.  What did you want?”

“I wanted you to not go away.”

“Not at all?”

“Not at all!  Not ever!  Not unless you take me with you, Hart.”

She slightly extended one hand to him.  Henderson took that hand, kissing it again and again.

“Anything you want, Edith,” he said brokenly.  “Just as you wish it.  Do you want me to stay here, and go on as we have been?”

“Yes, only with a difference.”

“Can you tell me, Edith?”

“First, I want you to know that you are the dearest thing on earth to me, right now.  I would give up everything else, before I would you.  I can’t honestly say that I love you with the love you deserve.  My heart is too sore.  It’s too soon to know.  But I love you some way.  You are necessary to me.  You are my comfort, my shield.  If you want me, as you know me to be, Hart, you may consider me yours.  I give you my word of honour I will try to be as you would have me, just as soon as I can.”

Henderson kissed her hand passionately.  “Don’t, Edith,” he begged.  “Don’t say those things.  I can’t bear it.  I understand.  Everything will come right in time.  Love like mine must bring a reward.  You will love me some day.  I can wait.  I am the most patient fellow.”

“But I must say it,” cried Edith.  “I—­I think, Hart, that I have been on the wrong road to find happiness.  I planned to finish life as I started it with Phil; and you see how glad he was to change.  He wanted the other sort of girl far more than he ever wanted me.  And you, Hart, honest, now—­I’ll know if you don’t tell me the truth!  Would you rather have a wife as I planned to live life with Phil, or would you rather have her as Elnora Comstock intends to live with him?”