"I'm not so sure! But it does seem the wiser plan. One can say so much more—verbally."
"Only of course we can't count it really an engagement, till they know."
"I'm afraid I count it very real indeed."
"You don't know what mother will think."
Her face shadowed over, and a chill query shot through his mind. Had he brought trouble upon her by his impulsive action? He was not in the main a selfish man; far from it; but this day he had been completely carried away by passion.
In the morning he had intended to let her know about his parentage; but since she had never named the Morrises, he had no idea that she had ever come across them. He felt only that she had a right to know all; and he meant to enlighten her.
Now he had gone far beyond mere enlightenment. He had taken irrevocable steps. Whether their engagement should or should not be permitted to stand, he had called into active life longings, hitherto vague, now definite, which would not be easily laid to rest.
Was she to pay a penalty of suffering for his failure in self-control?