Eric did plead and coax , however -- at first patiently and smilingly , as one might argue with a dear foolish child ; then with vehement and distracted earnestness , as he began to realize that Kilmeny meant what she said . It was all in vain . Kilmeny grew paler and paler , and her eyes revealed how keenly she was suffering . She did not even try to argue with him , but only listened patiently and sadly , and shook her head . Say what he would , entreat and implore as he might , he could not move her resolution a hairs-breadth . Yet he did not despair ; he could not believe that she would adhere to such a resolution ; he felt sure that her love for him would eventually conquer , and he went home not unhappily after all . He did not understand that it was the very intensity of her love which gave her the strength to resist his pleading , where a more shallow affection might have yielded . It held her back unflinchingly from doing him what she believed to be a wrong . CHAPTER XV . AN OLD , UNHAPPY , FAR-OFF THING The next day Eric sought Kilmeny again and renewed his pleadings , but again in vain . Nothing he could say , no argument which he could advance , was of any avail against her sad determination . When he was finally compelled to realize that her resolution was not to be shaken , he went in his despair to Janet Gordon . Janet listened to his story with concern and disappointment plainly visible on her face . When he had finished she shook her head . `` I 'm sorry , Master . I ca n't tell you how sorry I am . I had hoped for something very different . HOPED ! I have PRAYED for it . Thomas and I are getting old and it has weighed on my mind for years -- what was to become of Kilmeny when we would be gone .
Since you came I had hoped she would have a protector XXXXX you .
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