“Because I am—not free.”
For an interval they were so silent that they could hear each other breathe: Then, after he had quietly bidden the gondolier go back to their hotel, he asked, “If you had been free you might have answered me differently?”
“I don't know,” said Clementina, candidly. “I never thought of it.”
“It isn't because you disliked me?”
“Oh, no!”
“Then I must get what comfort I can out of that. I hope, with all my heart, that you may be happy.”
“Why, Dr. Welwright!” said Clementina. “Don't you suppose that I should be glad to do it, if I could? Any one would!”
“It doesn't seem very probable, just now,” he answered, humbly. “But I'll believe it if you say so.”
“I do say so, and I always shall.”
“Thank you.”