"I do not know what answer to make," said
Jane Porter sadly. "I do not know my own
mind."

"You do not love me, then?" he asked, in a
level tone.

"Do not ask me. You will be happier with-
out me. You were never meant for the formal
restrictions and conventionalities of society --
civilization would become irksome to you, and
in a little while you would long for the freedom
of your old life--a life to which I am as totally
unfitted as you to mine."

"I think I understand you," he replied quietly.

"I shall not urge you, for I would rather see you
happy than to be happy myself.

"I see now that you could not be happy with
-- an ape."

There was just the faintest tinge of bitterness
in his voice.

"Don't," she remonstrated. "Don't say that.You do not understand."

But before she could go on a sudden turn in
the road brought them into the midst of a little
hamlet.

Before them stood Clayton's car surrounded
by the party he had brought from the cottage.

-378-