“Because,” she said, slowly, and as if afraid to proceed. “Because”—speaking with sudden resolve, yet with plaintive humility, and at the same time covering her face with her hands and half averting her bowed head, “I love you, Carlos Conrad!”
CHAPTER XXIV.
DANGER AND MORE EXPOSURE.
The revelation filled Carlos with utter dismay. It fell upon him like a thunderbolt.
Not that the idea then dawned upon him for the first time; he had surmised the truth before. Kate Heath’s demeanor had often suggested the secret of her love for him,although it had always been modest, and had never even verged upon impropriety. But he had scouted the idea in scorn, as evincing vanity and presumption on his part. He had not allowed himself to cherish it for an instant, much less to accept it as an actual fact. And he had treated her uniformly with all the coldness possible that was consistent with common courtesy.
But here she was, confessing her secret.
He was thrown completely off his guard, and was so filled with consternation and annoyance that he betrayed no surprise at being addressed by his true name.
“Miss Heath,” he said, “this is pure madness.”
“I know it,” she said, still keeping her face concealed.
“I am surprised, shocked, overwhelmed by what you have said.”