"Nell! Look at me. It is your engagement ring....Listen. I don't
believe this--this thing that's been torturing you. I know it's
a lie. I am absolutely sure your mother will prove it a lie. She
must have suffered once--perhaps there was a sad error--but the
thing you fear is not true. But, hear me, dearest; even if it was
true it wouldn't make the slightest difference to me. I'd promise
you on my honor I'd never think of it again. I'd love you all the
more because you'd suffered. I want you all the more to be my
wife--to let me make you forget--to--"
She rose swiftyly with the passionate abandon of a woman stirred
to her depths, and she kissed him.
"Oh, Dick, you're good--so good! You'll never know--just what
those words mean to me. They've saved me--I think."
"Then, dearest, it's all right?" Dick questioned, eagerly. "You
will keep your promise? You will marry me?"
The glow, the light faded out of her face, and now the blue eyes
were almost black. She drooped and shook her head.
"Nell!" exclaimed Gale, sharply catching his breath.
"Don't ask me, Dick. I--I won't marry you."
"Why?"
"You know. It's true that I--"
"It's a lie," interrupted Gale, fiercely. "But even if it's
true--why--why won't you marry me? Between you and me love is the
thing. Love, and nothing else! Don't you love me any more?"
They had forgotten Belding, who stepped back into the shade.
"I love you with my whole heart and soul.
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