"Did you like my cake?"
"Very much; it wasn't that. I am a little worried, Diana."
"What a pity. Will you have some more, dear?"
"No, thank you."
Diana leant forward and cut a very large slice.
"No, really, thank you," I insisted.
"Right; this is for me."
"Diana," I said, "I've something on my chest." She looked surprised.
"Yes, there's something on my chest. I speak in a spiritual sense."
"Well, hadn't you better tell me what it is, dear?"
"I will," I said stoutly. "Diana, this--this engagement can't go on."
There was no fire in the room, so I gazed blankly into the radiator.
"What on earth do you mean, Dick?"
"It can't go on," I repeated.
"Why? Dick, you're joking."
"Joking!" I laughed a hollow mocking laugh. "Don't make it hard for me,
Diana."
She crossed over and sat on the arm of my chair.
"Are you feeling ill, dear?" she inquired ever so sweetly.
For a moment I nearly gave way; then, with a tremendous effort, I braced
back my shoulders.... Diana fell heavily to the floor.
"Darling," I said as I picked her up, "I'm so sorry; I didn't see you
were sitting so near the edge. I'm----"
"All right," she replied. "And now what is it? You haven't changed
towards me?"
"Diana--I--oh, it's difficult."
"Yes, dear. Go on."
I gazed into the carpet. "I must begin at the beginning. I--it's
difficult."
"Yes, dear; we've agreed about that."
"In the first place," I began, "I am a man of the utmost integrity."
"That doesn't matter, and, anyway, you're quite a dear."
I bowed gravely. "I try to look at things from a high standpoint," I
continued. "Now, Diana, I consider you are perfect. I love you intensely
because you are so perfect."
"Don't be silly, dear."
"I mean it. On the other hand, I know myself very well indeed."
"You think so."
"I do. And I have come to the conclusion, after many racking hours, that
I am not worthy of you. The proper course, the only course, is for me to
release you." And I sighed heavily.
"Well," said Diana, "of course it's a very pretty idea, and I'm glad
you're so fond of me, but the whole thing's absurd. I've accepted you
and there's an end of it."
"Diana, you're making it very hard."
"I'm making it impossible."
"No," I declared, "because--I release you now."
Diana fingered her handkerchief. "D--Dick, I refuse to be released. It's
too silly for w--words. Come over here."
With a great effort I didn't get up; instead I gazed at the ceiling.
"Diana," I said, "I'm disappointed in you. I'm trying to do the right
thing, the noble thing, and you mustn't stand in my way. You've no right
to stand in my----"
"Anyhow, I'm going to."
"You know," I said, "this puts me in a very awkward position--very
awkward. Diana, you must see my point of view."
"I can't."
"You mean you won't. I had expected more of you."