"You've never asked me to marry you," she said quietly, this time without a taunt.
"You expressly asked me not to."
"You always—boasted that you weren't in love with me."
A hint of triumph in her voice made him wonder in fear and disgust whether this was the way in which she had played with Jack Waring. She was sweeping him faster than he wanted to go; but, for all his misgivings, he could not stop.
"D'you think either of us knew what we meant to the other until these last three days?" he asked gently. "Everything was too easy before," he added, remembering Amy's warning.
Barbara uncovered her eyes and held her arms open to him.
"I've always loved you, Eric."
"I've been—very fond of you."
"And now you want to marry me?" she whispered, and her eyes shone with expectation.