“Do you despise me?” she cried at length. “Do you think I’m vain and foolish? I’m so ashamed of myself.”
He looked at her with those passionate eyes of his, and his whole heart yearned for her.
“You know what I think of you,” he said.
They were approaching the Vicarage and time was very short. Winnie threw off all reserve.
“I want to help you, I want to work with you, I hate the life I lead at home. I’m not a woman, I’m only a foolish doll. Take me away from it.”
The blood rushed to his face and the flame of an ecstatic happiness lit up his eyes. He could scarcely believe that he had heard aright.
“Do you mean that?” he cried, hastily. “Oh, don’t play with me. Don’t you know that I love you? I love you with all the strength I’ve got. When I’m away from you it’s madness; I can think of nothing but you all day, all night.”
Winnie sighed.
“I’m so glad to hear you say that.”
“Do you care for me at all?” he insisted, doubting still.