What an opportunity was this of escape! But she had not the courage to accept it. What girl, under such circumstances, would have had such courage? How often are offers made to us which we would almost give our eyes to accept, but dare not accept because we fear the countenance of the offerer? "I do not wish to retract my letter," said she, speaking as slowly as he had spoken; "but I wish to be left awhile, that I may recover my strength of mind. Have you not heard doctors say, that muscles which have been strained, should be allowed rest, or they will never entirely renew their tension? It is so with me now; if I could be quiet for a few months, I think I could learn to face the future with a better courage."
"And is that all you can say to me, Alice?"
"What would you have me say?"

What an opportunity was this of escape! But she had not the courage to accept it. What girl, under such circumstances, would have had such courage?
"I do not wish to retract my letter," said she; "but I wish to be left awhile, to recover my strength of mind. If I could be quiet for a few months, I think I could learn to face the future with better courage."
"And is that all you can say to me, Alice?"
"What would you have me say?"
