`` 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 to remedy it . You will not refuse my request , Esterbrook ? You will set me free ? '' `` Good heavens , Marian ! '' he said hoarsely . `` I can not realize that you are in earnest . Have you ceased to care for me ? '' The rigidly locked hands were clasped a little tighter . `` No -- I shall always care for you as my friend if you will let me . But I know we could not make each other happy -- the time for that has gone by . I would never be satisfied , nor would you . Esterbrook , will you release me from a promise which has become an irksome fetter ? '' He looked down on her upturned face mistily . A great joy was surging up in his heart -- yet it was mingled with great regret . He knew -- none better -- what was passing out of his life , what he was losing when he lost that pure , womanly nature .
`` If you really mean this , Marian , '' he said slowly , `` XXXXX you really have come to feel that your truest love is not and never can be mine -- that I can not make you happy -- then there is nothing for me to do but to grant your request .
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