"All these months, while I was going on! I wish you had mentioned it." "I acted as was necessary, and that 's the end of it." "You have a very high opinion of her ?" "The highest." "I remember now your occasionally expressing it and my being struck with it.

But I never dreamed you were in love with her.

It 's a pity she does n't care for you!" Rowland had made his point and he had no wish to prolong the conversation; but he had a desire to hear more of this, and he remained silent.
"You hope, I suppose, that some day she may ?" "I should n't have offered to say so; but since you ask me, I do." "I don't believe it.

She idolizes me, and if she never were to see me again she would idolize my memory." This might be profound insight, and it might be profound fatuity.
Rowland turned away; he could not trust himself to speak.
"My indifference, my neglect of her, must have seemed to you horrible.
Altogether, I must have appeared simply hideous." "Do you really care," Rowland asked, "what you appeared ?" "Certainly.

I have been damnably stupid.