I'm going away," he continued,
after a moment. "I've got to go. I thought once, when I first talked
with you of William, that you didn't know your own heart; that you
didn't really care for him. I was even fool enough to think that--that
it would be I to whom you'd turn--some day. And so I stayed. But I
stayed honorably, Billy! YOU know that! You know that I haven't once
forgotten--not once, that I was only William's brother. I promised you
I'd be that--and I have been; haven't I?"
Billy nodded silently. Her face was turned away.
"But, Billy, I can't do it any longer. I've got to ask for my promise
back, and then, of course, I can't stay."
"But you--you don't have to go--away," murmured the girl, faintly.
Bertram sprang to his feet. His face was white.
"Billy," he cried, standing tall and straight before her, "Billy, I
love every touch of your hand, every glance of your eye, every word that
falls from your lips. Do you think I can stay--now? I want my promise
back! When I'm no longer William's brother--then I'll go!"
"But you don't have to have it back--that is, you don't have to have it
at all," stammered Billy, flushing adorably. She, too, was on her feet
now.
"Billy, what do you mean?"
"Don't you see? I--I HAVE turned," she faltered breathlessly, holding
out both her hands.
Even then, in spite of the great light that leaped to his eyes, Bertram
advanced only a single step.
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