She shook her head. 'It is not my affair only. I have others to consider beside myself, and you must forgive me if my lips are locked.'
He put his left arm round her, to draw her to him, and kiss her. 'I will keep the key of those lips,' he said, but she twisted herself from his grasp.
'You must not do that, Larry.'
'Why not? We understand each other. Though we did not speak, that night, our hearts told each other everything.'
'Larry, do you remember what I said to you when we were together in the paddock?'
'I remember every word.'
'I told you that I regarded you—as a brother.'
'I remember every word but that.'
'You have been a friend, a dear friend, ever since we were children. You were always thoughtful towards us, my sister and me, when you thought of nothing else. You were always kind, and as Charles was away, of late, I came to think of you as a brother.'
'But I, Honor, I never have and never will consent to regard you as a sister. I love you more dearly than brother ever loved sister. I never had one of nay own, but I am quite sure I could not think of one in the way I think of you. I love you, Honor, with all my heart, and I respect you and look up to you as the only person who can make me lead a better life than I have led heretofore.'