Аня з острова Принца Едуарда

False Dawn

           “IdidthinkIcared—trulyIdid—butIknownowIdon’t.”

           “Youhaveruinedmylife,”saidRoybitterly.

           “Forgiveme,”pleadedAnnemiserably,withhotcheeksandstingingeyes.

           Royturnedawayandstoodforafewminuteslookingoutseaward.WhenhecamebacktoAnne,hewasverypaleagain.

           “Youcangivemenohope?”hesaid.

           Anneshookherheadmutely.

           “Then—good-bye,”saidRoy.“Ican’tunderstandit—Ican’tbelieveyouarenotthewomanI’vebelievedyoutobe.Butreproachesareidlebetweenus.YouaretheonlywomanIcaneverlove.Ithankyouforyourfriendship,atleast.Good-bye,Anne.”

           “Good-bye,”falteredAnne.WhenRoyhadgoneshesatforalongtimeinthepavilion,watchingawhitemistcreepingsubtlyandremorselesslylandwarduptheharbor.Itwasherhourofhumiliationandself-contemptandshame.Theirwaveswentoverher.Andyet,underneathitall,wasaqueersenseofrecoveredfreedom.

           SheslippedintoPatty’sPlaceintheduskandescapedtoherroom.ButPhilwasthereonthewindowseat.

           “Wait,”saidAnne,flushingtoanticipatethescene.“WaittilyouhearwhatIhavetosay.Phil,Royaskedmetomarryhim-andIrefused.”

           “You—youREFUSEDhim?”saidPhilblankly.

           “Yes.”

           “AnneShirley,areyouinyoursenses?”

           “Ithinkso,”saidAnnewearily.“Oh,Phil,don’tscoldme.Youdon’tunderstand.”

           “Icertainlydon’tunderstand.You’veencouragedRoyGardnerineverywayfortwoyears—andnowyoutellmeyou’verefusedhim.Thenyou’vejustbeenflirtingscandalouslywithhim.

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