“I don't think we could have a more romantic one,” he answered; and then, hoping to elicit an explanatory answer, added, “but why should Guir House not seem cheerful to you?”
“I don't know; it has always been gloomy; don't you think so?”
“Not having known it always, Dorothy, I am not in a position to judge; but it will always be the sweetest place on earth to me, because I met you here for the first time.”
“Yes, I know; but you must not forget your promise.”
She seemed nervous and anxious concerning his fulfillment of it.
“And do you suppose that I could ever forget anything you asked me? No, Dorothy, while you will it, I am your slave; but, as I told you before, you exert such a strange power over me that you could make me hate and fear you. I don't know why this should be so, but I feel it!”
“Hush!” she said, extending her outstretched hand toward his mouth; “do not talk in that way; you frighten me; for, O Paul! I was just beginning to hope that in you I had found a friend who would never shrink away from me. Do not tell me that you will ever become afraid of me like the others. I could not bear it.”
“I shrink! God forbid,” he answered, “but tell me why are other people afraid of you? You mystify me.”
“Because I am different—so different from them!”
“I'm quite sure of that,” he replied, “else I should never have come to love you within an hour of meeting you.”