"I don't think you'd see me hesitate at that."
"I'm glad you say so; because the road I should have to ask you to take would be a hard one."
"The harder the better, if it's anything by which I can prove my love."
"It is; but it's not only that; it's something by which you could prove mine."
His face brightened.
"In that case, Mademoiselle—speak."
She took an instant to assemble her forces, standing before him with a calmness she did not feel.
"You must forgive me," she said, trying to keep her voice steady, "if I take the initiative, as no girl is often called upon to do. Perhaps I should hesitate more if you hadn't told me, two years ago, what I know you've come to repeat to-day. The fact that I've waited those two years to hear you say it gives me a right that otherwise I shouldn't claim."
He bowed.
"There are no rights that a woman can have over a man which you, Mademoiselle, do not possess over me."