'I have no motive—only curiosity, Roland—yet I could not bear to think that you had ever loved anyone else as you do me.'
'I never did! All men have, or have had fancies,' said he evasively.
'I don't mean a fancy—a real love!'
'Annot?'
'Did you ever ask a girl to marry you?'
'Never—never! My darling—my pet—my little fairy—you alone have crept into my heart and made it all your own! With all their real length, how short have seemed the August days since you came hither, Annot!—how brief and swift the hours we spend together! But—but—you must say nothing of all this, our hopes and our future, to Hester.'
'No—oh no; I love you too fondly to have a confidant in the world.'
'I must seal your lips, dearest Annot,' interrupted Roland. Then came a pause and many caresses and many endearing names, as they slipped softly away towards the lighted windows of the villa, and left the agonized and startled listener free—for startled she was, and, curiously enough, for all she had seen and suspected, she was scarcely prepared for such a scene as this; and every caress she saw had seemed to sink like a hot poniard into her heart, as she stole away to her room, and strove to think, as one might in a dream.
Vague and numb was the first impression the episode made upon her, till feverish jealousy and mortification made her clasp and wring her hot, dry hands, and gnaw her nether lip, while burning tears rolled down her cheeks, with the assurance that all was over now!
'After all—he meant nothing—nothing after all!' she muttered; 'why did you make me love you so, Roland!'