She started a little, seeming to shrink from what was to come.
"No, Tristram—not then."
"And now—if things were different—if it were possible——?"
She shook her head.
"No—now least of all." She heard the sharp, painful catch in his breath. "It isn't possible—that's just it," she added wearily.
He resumed his restless pacing backwards and forwards.
"Then it was just a moment in your life you were offering me—I was to be part of a new and splendid episode——" He strode up to her and gripped her by the shoulders. "Oh—I'm not proud—you're a creature of fire and air, and I'm one of the earth. You could have walked over me and I'd have been content. And yet—I don't know. I might have cared too much. Perhaps I do care too much—but there's something besides that now. I'm not a moral or even a strong man, but there's only to be one woman in my life—-the woman I marry."
"Yes," she said listlessly.
"And Anne has promised to be my wife."
She looked up at him for an instant. It grew very still.