“But I'm not going to put it aside,” he went on. “It has got its place in the world, even when a man makes a proposal of marriage. And when I say I'm in love with you, that I have been in love with you since the first time I saw you, it's honest truth.”
“Say you have a regard, a high regard, even,” said Norma, still not looking at him, “and I'll believe you.”
“I'm hanged if I will,” said Morland. “I say I'm in love with you.”
Norma suddenly softened. The phrase tickled her ears again—this time pleasantly. The previous half-hour's groping in the dark of herself seemed to have resulted in discovery. She gave him a fleeting smile of mockery.
“Listen,” she said. “If you will be contented with regard, a high regard, on my side, I will marry you. I really like you very much. Will that do?”
“It is all I ask now. The rest will come by and by.”
“I'm not so sure. We had better be perfectly frank with each other from the start, for we shall respect each other far more. Anyhow, if you treat me decently, as I am sure you will, you may be satisfied that I shall carry out my part of the bargain. My bosom friends tell one another that I am worldly and heartless and all that—but I've never lied seriously or broken a promise in my life.”
“Very well. Let us leave it at that,” said Morland. “I suppose your people will have no objection?”
“None whatever,” replied Norma, drily.
“When can I announce our engagement?”