Elusions of Love: "Love, Is it Pride or Principle?"

“I was afraid if—I saw you too often I should want to marry you so much that I would want nothing else, not even to help other people,” said Jerome. “Why need you think about marrying? Can't you come to see me like a friend? Can't we be happy so?” asked Lucina, with a kind of wistful petulance. “I needn't think about it, and we can—” “I don't want to think about marrying yet,” said Lucina; “I don't know as I shall ever marry. I don't see why you should think so much about that.” “I don't,” said Jerome; “I shall never marry.” “You will, some time,” Lucina said, softly. “No; I never shall.” Lucina turned. “I must go in,” said she. Her hand and Jerome's found each other, with seemingly no volition of their own. “I am glad you didn't come because you didn't like me,” Lucina said, softly; “and we can be friends and no need of thinking of that other.” “Yes,” Jerome said, all of a tremble under her touch; “and—you won't feel offended because I told you?” “No, only I can't see why you stayed away for that.”