"You, also, care for a man; don't you?"
She bent her head in wordless assent.
"What are you going to do about it, Clelia?"
"Whatever he wishes."
"Marry him?"
"If he wishes."
"You are an astounding girl!"
"I am an astounded girl. I never supposed I should take such a view of life, of its obligations, of my own position in the world.... Lately, in the probable imminence of sudden death, I became a little reckless—perhaps excited—willing to learn in these brief hours the more innocent elements of love—curious to experience even the least real of its mysteries—to play coquette in the pretty comedy—even with you——"
She gave me a vague smile and slowly shook her head.
"All the while," she said, "I was in love with him. I didn't know it because I didn't know him. When I felt frivolous and wished to laugh he was serious. His solemnity stirred me to audacity; and when I said a lot of silly things I didn't mean he preached at me; and I bullied him and was impudent and showed my contempt for a man who would endure such tyranny.... That is how it began.... And all the while, not knowing it, I was falling more completely in love. Isn't it odd?"