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“And you came here pretending to be nice and a gentleman, and” She was lashing herself to rage, with the lash of her own voice, as women will. John Selborne stood up suddenly.

“Be quiet,” he said, and she was quiet. “I won’t hear any more reproaches, unless Listen, I’ve done wrong—I’ve owned it. I’ve suffered for it. God knows I’ve suffered. You liked me in the summer: can’t you try to like me again? I want you more than anything else in the world. Will you marry me?”

“Marry you,” she cried scornfully; “you who”

“Pardon me,” he said. “I have asked a question. Give me no for an answer, and I will go. Say yes, and then you may say anything else you like. Yes or no. Shall I go or stay? Yes or no. No other word will do.”

She looked at him, her head thrown back, her eyes flashing with indignation. A world of scorn showed in the angle of the chin, the poise of her head. Her lips opened. Then suddenly her eyes met his, and she knew that he meant what he said. She covered her face with her hands.