This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1882 edition. Excerpt: ...what was he going to tell her? She felt, since he had said they had better part, she already knew the worst that could befall her. "I have joined them altogether, for better or worse," he said, "and I must go where they want me." She did not know what meaning might underlie the words; she knew nothing of Socialism and its secret societies, except as things vague and terrible; he had given himself up to them then, and nothing she could do or say would win him back now to her side: his new thoughts, his new life were to be all to him. They had taken her place, and she must be sacrificed. Her quick womanly instinct told her the truth--he did not, could not love her as he used to do; that was the one bitter thought uppermost in her mind, and it swallowed up all else for the time. She spoke slowly at last. "Perhaps it is as you say--I think you were right to tell me--perhaps--I do not know--it will be right to part." Was it her own voice that spoke? Drearily the words seemed to fall like clods upon a coffin-lid; and then the wash of the river against its banks, the peaceful cawing of the rooks, all the sweet sounds of happy life, and she held her breath to hear Robert's voice again. "Would not her heart burst itself with its hidden tumultuous passion? Why did he not speak, retract, --swear to her that it was a dream--he was only trying her--nothing should ever come between them any more? What were these opinions of his compared to her own living love?--words, ideas, nothings. Could she have renounced him for anything on earth, or ever, ever have preferred anything on earth to him? 0! cruel, cowardly--how could he let her go so easily? And Robert was thinking: --"Now I think she sees it right. Poor dear...