She looked at me quietly. "Cothope knew," she said. "By instinct. I could feel it."
"I suppose," I began, "once, this would have mattered immensely. Now"
"Nothing matters," she said, completing me. "I felt I had to tell you. I wanted you to understand why I didn't marry you—with both hands. I have loved you"—she paused—"have loved you ever since the day I kissed you in the bracken. Only—I forgot."
And suddenly she dropped her face upon her hands, and sobbed passionately—
"I forgot—I forgot," she cried, and became still. . . .
I dabbed my paddle in the water. "Look here!" I said; "forget again! Here am I—a ruined man. Marry me."
She shook her head without looking up.
We were still for a long time. "Marry me," I whispered.
She looked up, twined back a whisp of hair, and answered dispassionately—
"I wish I could. Anyhow, we have had this time. It has been a fine time—has it been—for you also? I haven't grudged you all I had to give. It's a poor gift—except for what it means and might have been. But we are near the end of it now."
"Why?" I asked. "Marry me! Why should we two"
"You think," she said, "I could take courage and come to you and be your everyday wife—while you work and are poor?"
"Why not?" said I.
She looked at me gravely, with extended finger. "Do you really think that?—of me? Haven't you seen me—all?"
