"Mary Garland?
Heaven forgive us!" Rowland observed the "us;" Roderick threw himself back on the turf.

The latter lay for some time staring at the sky.

At last he sprang to his feet, and Rowland rose also, rejoicing keenly, it must be confessed, in his companion's confusion.
"For how long has this been ?" Roderick demanded.
"Since I first knew her." "Two years! And you have never told her ?" "Never." "You have told no one ?" "You are the first person." "Why have you been silent ?" "Because of your engagement." "But you have done your best to keep that up." "That 's another matter!" "It 's very strange!" said Roderick, presently.

"It 's like something in a novel." "We need n't expatiate on it," said Rowland.

"All I wished to do was to rebut your charge that I am an abnormal being." But still Roderick pondered.