"Of course I shall stay now," he said, and as he said it he put his hand on her hand, which was on his arm. She drew it away at once. "I love you so dearly," he whispered to her; "so dearly."
"Lord Silverbridge!"
"I do. I do. Can you say that you will love me in return?"
"I cannot," she said slowly. "I have never dreamed of such a thing. I hardly know now whether you are in earnest."
"Indeed, indeed I am."
"Then I will say good-night, and think about it. Everybody is going. We will have our game to-morrow at any rate."
When he went to his room he found the ring on his dressing-table.