“That ‘s another matter!”
“It ‘s very strange!” said Roderick, presently. “It ‘s like something in a novel.”
“We need n’t expatiate on it,” said Rowland. “All I wished to do was to rebut your charge that I am an abnormal being.”
But still Roderick pondered. “All these months, while I was going on! I wish you had mentioned it.”
“I acted as was necessary, and that ‘s the end of it.”
“You have a very high opinion of her?”
“The highest.”
“I remember now your occasionally expressing it and my being struck with it. But I never dreamed you were in love with her. It ‘s a pity she does n’t care for you!”
Rowland had made his point and he had no wish to prolong the conversation; but he had a desire to hear more of this, and he remained silent.
“You hope, I suppose, that some day she may?”