"'Your voice is very sweet and very low,' I answered, quietly advancing. 'You seem subdued, but still startled.'
"'No—quite calm, and afraid of nothing,' she assured me.
"'Of nothing but your votary.'
"I bent a knee to the flags at her feet.
"'You see I am in a new world, Mr. Moore. I don't know myself; I don't know you. But rise. When you do so I feel troubled and disturbed.'
"I obeyed. It would not have suited me to retain that attitude long. I courted serenity and confidence for her, and not vainly. She trusted and clung to me again.
"'Now, Shirley,' I said, 'you can conceive I am far from happy in my present uncertain, unsettled state.'
"'Oh yes, you are happy!' she cried hastily. 'You don't know how happy you are. Any change will be for the worse.'
"'Happy or not, I cannot bear to go on so much longer. You are too generous to require it.'
"'Be reasonable, Louis; be patient! I like you because you are patient.'