Yet, I know this: selfish or otherwise, I can not endure the thought of you in peril.”

She looked at me very gravely; then dropped her head once more.

“I don’t know,” I said desperately, “I wish to be honest — tell you no lie — tell none to myself. I — your beauty — has touched me — or whatever it is about you that attracts. And, whatever gown you go in, I scarcely see it — somehow — finding you so — so strangely — lovely — in speech also — and in — every way� . And now that I have not lied to you — or to myself — in spite of what I have said, let me be useful to you. For I can be; and perhaps these other sentiments will pass away — — ”