"Could he swear to her that his story--as you have told it to me--is true?"
"He could, and he would!"
"Then she would not be worthy of his love; if she refused to believe him!"
"Ah, Maude, dearest and best, is there any need to involve the story further; have you not known its meaning from the outset? Heart whole and intact, I offer you my hand, and swear to do my best to make the rest of our lives happy if you take it. You don't answer. Ah, I don't want you to. Thanks, dear, a thousand times for giving me a new, fresh, worthy interest in life!"
"You here, Mr. Joyce? Why, when did you get back?"
"Half an hour since, Gertrude. You did not expect me, I hear!"
"Certainly not, or we shouldn't have gone out. And we did no good after all."
"No good? How do you mean?"
"Oh, madam was out. However, bother madam. Did you see Lady Caroline?"
"I did."