“Elaine, will you marry me?” he whispered.
“Oh!” she breathed crossly. “You know very well I don’t love you!”
“Yes, I know.”
“Then why on earth . . . ?”
“I wanted you to know that I loved you.”
“I knew it. I am not blind.”
“But I was forced to tell you . . . because it was so difficult.”
“Oh, you ridiculous man! . . . I couldn’t possibly fall in love with a man like you!”
“I know it,” he murmured, while the iron entered slowly into his soul.
“You knew it all along,” she said. “You are no fool. I was glad to have you come to see me, you’re so intelligent. But I wondered why you continued to come.”