"Not yet. I'm no man of stone. Can you scoff now?"

"No, no. Let me go. I've paid you well and you--O God! you've paid
me, too. Let me go."

"Not until you kiss me."

"No--not that."

"Why?" he whispered.

"No--never that! Oh, the damage you have done!"

"I'll repair it--"

"No. You can't bring the dead to life----our friendship----it was so
clean----Let me go, do you hear?"

But he only laughed at her.

"You'll kiss me--"

"Never!"

"You shall--"

"Never!"

He raised her face to his. She quivered under his touch, but her lips
were insensate, and upon his hand a drop of moisture fell--a tear