'I mean, why do you permit that tawny-haired fellow to flirt with you, and excite the comment of lookers-on?'
'He does not flirt with me, Robert.'
'Do you mean to say that his attentions are more serious than what is called flirtation?'
'I say nothing about them,' said Ellinor, annoyed and alarmed by his vehemence and categorical questioning.
'Ah—indeed!' he hissed through his clenched teeth.
'I cannot prevent him saying things sometimes—without—without making a scene. Do not be hard upon me, Robert—I do love you—I always loved you; not perhaps as you wish—but—but——'
She paused, sobbed, and laid her sweet face upon his arm, which went caressingly round her bent and beautiful head, with all its wealth of dark brown flowing hair.
'You love me!' he whispered, softly.
'As an old friend—oh, yes.'
He withdrew, and again eyed her gloomily and silently.