“I regret that you should have declared love to me, that’s all,” she answered, quite philosophically.
“Why? Is it such a very extraordinary proceeding?”
“Yes,” she replied petulantly. “You know well that marriage is entirely out of the question. What would your friends say if you hinted at such a thing?”
“The opinion of my friends is nothing to me,” I replied. “I am fortunately not dependent upon them. No. I feel sure that is not the reason of your answer. You have some secret reason. What is it, Muriel?”
“Have I not already told you that I am loved?”
“And you reciprocate this man’s love?” I said harshly.
She made no response, but I saw in this silence an affirmative.
“Who is he?” I inquired quickly.
“A stranger.”
“And you have confidence in him?”