Might he not forget in time ? Need she snap in twain the weakened bond between them after all ? Perhaps she might win back her lost sceptre , yet if -- Womanly pride throttled the struggling hope . No divided allegiance , no hollow semblance of queenship for her ! Her opportunity came when Esterbrook asked with grave earnestness if their marriage might not be hastened a little -- could he not have his bride in August ? For a fleeting second Marian closed her eyes and the slender hands , lying among the laces in her lap , clasped each other convulsively . Then she said quietly , `` Sometimes I have thought , Esterbrook , that it might be better -- if we were never married at all . '' Esterbrook turned a startled face upon her . `` Not married at all ! Marian , what do you mean ? '' `` Just what I say . I do not think we are as well suited to each other after all as we have fancied . We have loved each other as brother and sister might -- that is all . I think it will be best to be brother and sister forever -- nothing more . '' Esterbrook sprang to his feet . `` Marian , do you know what you are saying ? You surely can not have heard -- no one could have told you -- '' `` I have heard nothing , '' she interrupted hurriedly . `` No one has told me anything . I have only said what I have been thinking of late . I am sure we have made a mistake .
It is not too late XXXXX remedy it .
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