"Suppose it were true that I am one?"
She said, with the warmth of total inexperience with villains, "What you have been to me is only what concerns me. You have been good, generous, noble! And I—like you."
"You must not like me."
"I do! I do like you! I shall continue to do so—always——"
"You can not!"
"What? Indeed I can! I like you very much. I defy you to prevent me!"
"I don't want to prevent you—but you mustn't do it."[245]
She sat silent for a moment. Then her lip trembled.
"Why may I not like you?" she asked unsteadily.
"I am not worth it."