"I could only bow my head, cursing the day I was born.
"'Holman! Holman!' came in agonized entreaty from the bed, 'you will
not rob me of my daughter now?'
"Startled, I looked up. Luttra was half way to the door.
"'What are you going to do?' cried I, bounding towards her.
"She stopped me with a look. 'The son must never forsake the father,'
said she. 'If either of us must leave the house this day, let it be
I.' Then in a softer tone, 'When you asked me to be your wife, I who
had worshipped you from the moment you entered my father's house on
the memorable night I left it, was so overcome at your condescension
that I forgot you did not preface it by the usual passionate, 'I love
you,' which more than the marriage ring binds two hearts together. In
the glamour and glow of my joy, I did not see that the smile that was
in my heart, was missing from your face. I was to be your wife and
that was enough, or so I thought then, for I loved you. Ah, and I do
now, my husband, love you so that I leave you. Were it for your
happiness I would do more than that, I would give you back your
freedom, but from what I hear, it seems that you need a wife in name
and I will be but fulfilling your desire in holding that place for
you. I will never disgrace the position high as it is above my poor
deserts.
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