“Let us forget this horrible business if we can. I want to tell you something. There is a mystery in my life, which I cannot explain even to you at present. Some day perhaps I may be able to do so. This alone has prevented me from saying something to you which has been burning into my head since first I saw you.”
Ena gave him a quick glance, and then looked down.
“I think you can guess what it is, and if you have nothing to say to me, I will walk out of this room and out of your life sooner than hurt your feelings. When first I met you on that windy afternoon, when you were battling against the storm so bravely, and I learned that this was the symbol of your life—battling against the Storm, my heart went out to you in sympathy such as I have never felt to anyone else in the world, and during those following days, when your sweet companionship meant so much to me—more than you perhaps will ever know—I knew that for the first time in my life I loved, and would go on loving for all time, whether you cared for me or not.”
His voice was very tender.
“Love I take it,” he said “is sacrifice and service. My whole mind and body has been in your service and yours only since first we met, and if my life could have been given to lift the burden, which I saw was hanging over you, I would willingly have made the sacrifice.”
“I know,” she said softly, and tears were falling unrestrainedly and she made no effort to wipe them from her face.
He waited for a moment and then continued.
“It is possible that I have hurt you by what I have said. I will not insult you with the usual question as to whether there is someone else to whom you have already given your heart, nor will I ask you for an answer now.”
Then she looked up at last.
“Surely you men must be completely blind. I think you are the only one of our acquaintances who has not seen the truth that I have loved you all the time.”