THE CLIMBERS                693

top instead of below, by our hotel! Oh, yes, I

remember! The world changed for me that day.

  [lie sinks back into the arm-chair, overcome, in

    his 'weakened state, by his memories and his

    realization of what he has made of the present.

  BLANCHE. And for me! I knew then for the

first time you loved me, and that I loved you. Oh!

how short life of a sudden seemed!   Not half

long enough for the happiness it held for me!

LShe turns upon him with a vivid change of feeling.]

Has it turned out so 

  STERLING. How different! Oh, what a beast!

what a fool!

  BLANCHE. [Speaking width pathetic emotion,

tears in her throat and in her eyes.] And that

early summer's day you asked me to be your wife!

[She gives a little exclamation, half a sob, half a

laugh.] It was in the corner of the garden; I can