'Because—because—I wanted to hear you say "My darling." I was at once bold and hypocritical.'
'This is too sweet a crime to be lightly forgiven,' said Langdale gravely.
'Oh, what infatuation! Well, don't you see it was like waylaying you—surprising you out of your declaration? I ought to be sorry, but I cannot, for we would have lost this day, and no other could be quite so perfect. Only let your reason hold good. After all, it concerns only us two really. And do you not know how I love to fold this secret in my heart from everyone in the world but you for a little time? I could not bear to have it profaned all at once. So many women chatter about such things in a common, callous way. There is Helen's elder sister—a perfect image of earth—who gossips away perpetually. Her favourite subject is engagements. You may smile, but I am quite serious. She asks questions until you feel that you are lying about in fragments; then she puts you together and begins afresh.'
'Very well, sweet St. Charity, let it be your penance to have your own way in this.'
'And now, while we walk back to the house, you can practise talking and looking like a mere friend.'
'In that case, when I speak to you, you must look away.'
'Look away! that is what people in love do in a comedy. Why, the very magpies would point us out as lovers.'
'But what am I to do when you look at me with those eyes?'
'That is not the way to practise. Devise anecdotes about the weather, and try to be reasonable once more, for you have suddenly forsworn the art.'
'There is not the same call for it. You seem to have left off railing against nature and Providence, and the treacheries of life; remember what you said about the new world!'