
When Gracila turned up her exquisite face to gaze at Lord Damien, he said in a trembling voice: ''For God's sake, do not look at me like that... you who are so pure, so perfect, so innocent. Now when I see you, I know that I must go away. Go away!'' She echoed: ''But I do not understand.'' ''I cannot meet you anymore. It is wrong for you, and hell for me.'' Gracila longed to cradle his head in her arms. ''You have suffered,'' she murmured, ''but perhaps I can make you happy.''