"Jack!" she exclaimed in consternation.
"Will you let me?"
"No, I won't! ... Jack! Don't be foolish. I had no idea you had arrived as far as that. I had no reason to think so—to suppose for one moment—because it has always been the jolliest and most unsentimental—and—you never even touched me before."
Her color brightened, and her breath came irregularly. She tried to laugh, and failed.
"You know perfectly well that they have other ambitions for you."
"I know.... How is it with you, Silvette?"
"With me? What do you mean?"
"Could you care for me?"
"I—I haven't even thought about such a—I haven't really, Jack. You know that, don't you? You must try to look back on our very brief friendship—try to recollect how brief it has been—try to remember—remember how happy and amusing and confident that friendship has been—with no suspicion of sentiment to embarrass or vex——"
"I know.... Isn't there any hope for me?"