"The authority of my love. Violet, I love you ... you know it ... but I must tell you so ... I must..."
She moved towards the door; he intercepted her, and put his back against it. Drawing herself up to her full height, with a haughty gesture she motioned him to let her pass.
"I did not expect this," he said, without moving; "I thought I should, at least, be heard. Miss Vyner had given me reason to hope that she would at least suffer me to tell her.... Violet, I cannot control myself. You must know, you must long have known I loved you, you must have seen it in every...."
"Mr. Ashley I request to be allowed to leave the room."
"Do you refuse to listen to me?"
"I do."
He stared at her bewildered; there was something so calm and collected in her manner, yet the manner was so incomprehensible, that he was speechless for a few moments.
"You cannot ... cannot have mistaken ... for so many months ... do you mean that you mistook my looks ... my words ... my actions? ... Did you?"
"I did not."
"Good God! have you then been playing with me?"