"Yes, and to begin at the beginning, you know I—I—loved Johanna Oakley. Yes, I loved her."
"Yes—yes."
"I loved her for her beauty, and for the gentle and the chivalrous devotion of her character, you understand. I loved her for the very tears she shed for another, and for the very constancy with which she clung to the memory of his affection for her. I saw in her such child-like purity of mind, such generosity of disposition, such enchanting humanity of soul, that I could not but love her."
"Yes, yes," gasped Arabella. "Yes."
"Will you pardon me for saying all this to you?"
"Oh yes. Go on—go on, unless you have said all?"
"I have not."
"Then, then you have only to add that you love her still?"
"Yes, but—"
Arabella's heart beat painfully.