
    »What is to become of Priscilla?«
    Hollingsworth looked at me fiercely, and with glowing eyes. He could not
have shown any other kind of expression than that, had he meant to strike me
with a sword.
    »Why do you bring in the names of these women?« said he, after a moment of
pregnant silence. »What have they to do with the proposal which I make you? I
must have your answer! Will you devote yourself, and sacrifice all to this great
end, and be my friend of friends, forever?«
    »In Heaven's name, Hollingsworth,« cried I, getting angry, and glad to be
angry, because so only was it possible to oppose his tremendous
concentrativeness and indomitable will, »cannot you conceive that a man may wish
well to the world, and struggle for its good, on some other plan than precisely
that which you have laid down? And will you cast off a friend, for no
unworthiness, but merely because he stands upon his right, as an individual
being, and looks at matters through his own optics, instead of yours?«
    »Be with me,« said Hollingsworth, »or be against me! There is no third
choice for you.«
    »Take this, then, as my decision,« I answered. »I doubt the wisdom of your
scheme. Furthermore, I greatly fear that the methods, by which you allow
yourself to pursue it, are such as cannot stand the scrutiny of an unbiassed
conscience.«
    »And you will not join me?«
    »No!«
    I never said the word - and certainly can never have it to say, hereafter -
that cost me a thousandth part so hard an effort as did that one syllable. The
heart-pang was not merely figurative, but an absolute torture of the breast. I
was gazing steadfastly at Hollingsworth. It seemed to me that it struck him,
too, like a bullet. A ghastly paleness - always so terrific on a swarthy face -
overspread his features. There was a convulsive movement of his throat, as if he
were forcing down some words that struggled and fought for utterance. Whether
words of anger, or words of grief, I cannot tell; although, many and many a
time, I have vainly tormented myself with conjecturing which of the two they
were. One other appeal to my friendship - such as once, already, Hollingsworth
had made - taking me in the revulsion that followed a strenuous exercise of
opposing will, would completely have subdued me. But he left the matter
