“Because I am truly, deeply, profoundly interested in you, Miss Wilfer. Because I wish to see you always at your best. Because I⁠—shall I go on?”

“No, sir,” returned Bella, with a burning face, “you have said more than enough. I beg that you will not go on. If you have any generosity, any honour, you will say no more.”

The late John Harmon, looking at the proud face with the downcast eyes, and at the quick breathing as it stirred the fall of bright brown hair over the beautiful neck, would probably have remained silent.

“I wish to speak to you, sir,” said Bella, “once for all, and I don’t know how to do it. I have sat here all this evening, wishing to speak to you, and determining to speak to you, and feeling that I must. I beg for a moment’s time.”

He remained silent, and she remained with her face averted, sometimes making a slight movement as if she would turn and speak. At length she did so.