"I wish to know what has changed you?"
"Am I changed?"
"Very much. This morning when I went to Brighton with Dinah, you were bright and happy; now you are sad, and look as though you had received bad news."
"Only you can give me bad news," said Beatrice in an embarrassed manner. "I want you to be plain with me to-night, Vivian. I have promised to marry you. I take that promise back----"
"Beatrice--oh Beatrice!"
"Unless you satisfy me that you really and truly love me."
"Oh, my darling, is there any question of that?"
"There is every question. It is easy for a man to say that he loves a woman; it is not so easy to prove it."
"I can prove it, in any way you will."
"Good," said Beatrice, leaning forward and placing her arms on the small table between them. "I shall tell you what I have heard to-day; and then you must tell me what you know."