‘Like you! You know I’ve loved you for years.’
She was silent, tasting a faint relief and satisfaction; and then said:
‘Well, what would you like me to do about it, Martin?’
She saw that his hands were trembling, and he answered shakily:
‘Do about it ... I.... What do you want to do about it?... I’ve said I——’
‘Would you like me to marry you?’ she asked softly.
‘God! If there was a chance!...’
‘Well—I might, Martin.’
She started to laugh and cry weakly at sight of the transfigured face he turned towards her; and a voice went on protesting inside her: ‘No! No! No! It isn’t true. I never will.’
‘Oh, I’m so tired, Martin, I’m so tired!’