"
"Ha! ha! ha! What apology could you possibly make for such an
unwarrantable interference?"
"The Lord knoweth! I do not now. But I trust to be able to save her
without--revealing you."
"Do you imagine that vague warnings would have any effect upon her?"
"Coming from me they would."
"Heavens! What a self-worshiper! But selfishness is your normal state,
Marian! Self-love is your only affection--self-adulation your only
enthusiasm--self-worship your only religion! You do not desire to be
loved--you wish only to be honored! The love I offered you, you trampled
underfoot! You have no heart, you have only a brain! You cannot love,
you only think! Nor have you any need of love, but only of power!
Applause is your vital breath, your native air! To hear your name and
praise on every tongue--that is your highest ambition! Such a woman
should be a gorgon of ugliness that men might not waste their hearts'
wealth upon her!" exclaimed Thurston, bitterly, gazing with murky eyes,
that smoldered with suppressed passion, upon the beautiful girl before
him.
Marian was standing with her eyes fixed abstractedly upon a distant
sail. Now the tears swelled under the large white eyelids and hung
glittering on the level lashes, and her lip quivered and her voice
faltered slightly as she answered:
"You see me through a false medium, dear Thurston, but the time will
come when you will know me as I am.
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