“Zai, you hated me once, I believe,” he says reproachfully. “I wonder why?”
“Never mind, since I love you now,” she replies.
“You hated me when you cared for Conway, Zai!”
He looks at her keenly as he deals what she thinks a random shot, but which is really a premeditated speech, for ever since Gabrielle’s words, Lord Delaval has been jealous for the very first time in his life.
Never before has he felt the pangs of the green-eyed monster. It may be because he has never before perhaps felt a true and pure love.
Zai laughs, but the laugh is a little forced.
“You see, Delaval, if you did not care about me you would not be jealous! The past belongs to me, you know, but the future is yours—won’t that content you?” she asks softly. “Shall I promise that it is only you that I shall love for the rest of my life?”
“Suppose you couldn’t keep your promise, Zai. Suppose an old influence was too strong for you—what then?”
“An old influence! No one could have any influence over me now but you, Delaval!”
“Will you swear that you will stick to me through thick and thin? Will you swear that no other man shall come between us ever?”