“I suppose you mean Miss Laurence.”

“Yes, I mean her.”

“You ask if I love her?”

“Yes, yes! Oh, tell me!”

Ross paused a moment, but he did not remove his eyes from the woman’s face.

“Will you never speak?” she cried, passionately.

“You ask if I love this girl, and I answer. Is there any reason against it?”

“You do! You do! And almost confess it to me?”

“To you, above all other persons, I deny any right to question me.”

“Right! I have no rights; only it would be merciful if you would set my mind at rest.”