Merriman was maddened beyond endurance by the sight
“What a brute I am!” he gasped. “Now I’ve made you cry.”
“For pity’s sake! Do stop it! Nothing matters about anything else if only you stop!”
He was almost beside himself with misery as he pleaded with her. But soon he pulled himself together and began to speak more rationally.
“At least tell me the reason,” he besought. “I know I’ve no right to ask, but it matters so much. Have pity and tell me, is it someone else?”
She shook her head faintly between her sobs.
“Thank goodness for that anyway. Tell me once again. Is it that you don’t like me?”
Again she shook her head.
“You do like me!” he exclaimed breathlessly. “You do, Madeleine. Say it! Say that you do!”
She made a resolute effort for self-control.