"You have no right to say such words to me, Julius. I have done all a woman could do to prevent, them. I have never given you any encouragement. A gentleman does not speak without it."
"I could not help speaking. I love you, Charlotte. Is there any wrong in loving you? If I had any hope of winning you."
"No, no; there is no hope. I do not love you. I never shall love you."
"Unless you have some other lover, Charlotte, I shall dare to hope"—
"I have a lover."
"Oh!"
"And I am frank with you because it is best. I trust you will respect my candor."
He only bowed. Indeed, he found speech impossible. Never before had Charlotte looked so lovely and so desirable to him. He felt her positive rejection very keenly.
"Sophia is coming. Please to forget that this conversation has ever been."