I wish I had something to give you--but
yes, here is something." He drew from his pocket a silver napkin-ring.
"I've had that since I was five years old. My uncle Stefan gave it to
me. I've always used it. I don't know why I put it in my pocket this
morning, but I did. Take it. It's more than money. It's got something
of Jean Jacques about it. You've got the Barbille fruit-dish-that is a
thing I'll remember. I'm glad you've got it, and--"
"I meant we should both eat from it," she said helplessly.
"It would cost too much to eat from it with you, Virginie--"
He stopped short, choked, then his face cleared, and his eyes became
steady.
"Well then, good-bye, Virginie," he said, holding out his hand.
"You don't think I'd say to any other living man what I've said to you?"
she asked.
He nodded understandingly. "That's the best part of it. It was for me
of all the world," he answered. "When I look back, I'll see the light
in your window--the light you lit for the lost one--for Jean Jacques
Barbille."
Suddenly, with eyes that did not see and hands held out before him, he
turned, felt for the door and left the room.
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