"Can't you guess the real reason?"
"Because of the trouble—you said as much."
He shook his head and there was a note of reproach in his voice as he replied:
"You don't think that is the reason. You ought to know that I should consider no task too irksome if it would add to your happiness."
He spoke so earnestly that Grace looked up at him in surprise. What did he mean? His eyes met hers without flinching. He was silent. She saw he wanted to say something and hesitated. She knew not why, but there was something disturbing in this man's silent, persistent gaze.
"What is the real reason?" she murmured, at last.
"Can't you guess?" he demanded hoarsely.
"No," she replied, outwardly calm, but with misgivings within.
"Because I love you!" he cried passionately.
He sprang eagerly forward, as if about to take her in his arms. Grace, startled, fell back.