Do not try to persuade me; but leave me now. When you think
hereafter of this evening, remember what my last words were. _I loved
you best of all._ Darling--wish me good-night; and come to see me early
to-morrow."
He guessed, full well, how long that night would last, and what sight
would meet Cecil on the morrow; but he was resolute to spare her one
additional pang, and so endured alone the whole burden of the parting
agony. His whole life had been full of deeds of reckless daring; but, in
good truth, this achievement was its very crown of courage.
Now, as heretofore, Cecil was incapable of resisting any one of his
expressed wishes or commands; besides this, physical exhaustion was
beginning to overcome her; and she, too, felt that it was time to go.
She leaned down, without speaking, and their lips met in a long,
passionate kiss. So little of vitality lingered in Royston's, that they
remained still icy-cold under the pressure of these ripe, red roses.
"I will come again, early," she whimpered.
The last relics of a strength that _had_ been superhuman passed into the
lingering pressure of the hand that bade her tenderly farewell.
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