“Exceptionally so.”

“And accomplished—and gracious—and has good manners and a velvet voice.”

“All of that.”

“And she’s kind—and gentle—and has high principles.”

“True.”

“She belongs to your people, your world.”

I only smiled.

“Joseph,” raising her sad eyes to mine, “you have loved her once, and now love me?”

“I have never loved Annabel, dear heart, but I do love you.”

“Why haven’t you loved her? How could you help it?”