Unless I was mistaken, he slightly started. Anyhow, his elbow came off the mantelboard and his arm fell to his side. There was silence.
Presently he returned his elbow to its former place upon the mantelboard.
"I see."
It was an ejaculation, rather than anything else. To the best of my judgment his face was expressionless as a mask. But I could not see his eyes--he kept them flamewards. Next time he spoke he confined himself to the utterance of a monosyllable.
"Well?"
"So far as I am concerned, that is all."
He stood up straight. He faced me, turning his back to the fire.
"May I ask why you wish to marry me?"
"I? It is you who wish to marry me, surely."
He regarded me with unwavering eyes.