"I care enough to-night. But there is next year and the year after that."
"I want to be sure that this is serious," said Peter, with clenched hands.
"Of course it is. It is more serious than I thought anything could be."
Clearly she was now in earnest. Even Peter might have found her adequate. But he had now committed himself deeply to the proof he required. He knew it was at bottom indefensible—that he was merely trying to build a refuge for his self-respect.
"If you really cared for me," he persisted, "you would not refuse to marry me."
"Marriage is not my way," she protested.
"I ask you with my whole soul."
"Your whole soul?" She smiled a little, but added gravely:
"You make things very difficult. This shows how badly you want to be looked after."