"Spoken? Of course I shouldn't! It's a thousand pities I did. It makes it all the harder—now!"
"What do you mean?"
"Surely you see?"
They had risen with a common instinct. The ice was broken; there were no more shamefaced glances. The girl stood proudly at her full height.
"I see nothing. You say our engagement makes this all the harder for you; it should be just the opposite."
"Will nothing make you see?" cried Jack. "Oh, how am I to say it? It—it can't go on—our engagement!"
"And why not?"
"I am nothing—nobody—a nameless——"
"What does it matter?" interrupted Olivia passionately. "Do you really think it was the name I wanted after all? You pay me a high compliment! I know exactly what you mean—know exactly what this means to you. To me it makes no difference at all. You are the man you have always been; you are the man—I—love."
His eyes glistened.