"She said she loved me and urged me on, but finally I discovered I was only one of several admirers. When she appeared, the shock of seeing her thus unexpectedly, made me faint."
"Why did you not tell me this when I first asked you?"
"I was afraid."
"You would have pleased me much more in telling the truth. There is no disgrace in loving a beautiful woman. Where did you meet her and woo her?"
"I do not know."
"Of course you know. Tell me the truth."
"I feel as though it were a long time ago, and everywhere there was sunshine and flowers, but I don't know where it was."
"You do;—tell me."
"I cannot."
"Do you hear me, Merle? What ails the boy? I never saw him like this before. Merle, answer me. Where did you first meet the woman?"