If I had thought it possible you could -- love me , I would never have been friends with you . Oh , I 've made a terrible mistake . '' She wrung her hands piteously together , looking like a soul in torment . Alan could not bear to see her pain . `` Do n't feel such distress , '' he implored . `` I suppose I 've spoken too abruptly -- but I 'll be so patient , dear , if you 'll only try to care for me a little . Ca n't you , dear ? '' `` I ca n't marry you , '' said Lynde desperately . She leaned against a slim white bole of a young birch behind her and looked at him wretchedly . `` Wo n't you please go away and forget me ? '' `` I ca n't forget you , '' Alan said , smiling a little in spite of his suffering . `` You are the only woman I can ever love -- and I ca n't give you up unless I have to . Wo n't you be frank with me , dear ? Do you honestly think you can never learn to love me ? '' `` It is not that , '' said Lynde in a hard , unnatural voice . `` I am married already . '' Alan stared at her , not in the least comprehending the meaning of her words . Everything -- pain , hope , fear , passion -- had slipped away from him for a moment , as if he had been stunned by a physical blow . He could not have heard aright . `` Married ? ''
he XXXXX dully .
Do comprehending heard leaned love said slipped stunned torment wrung