"You are jesting," he said; "but if you are really going away it is very serious." "If I stay," and she gave a little laugh, "it is more serious still!" "When shall you go ?" "As soon as possible." "And why ?" "Why should I stay ?" "Because we all admire you so." "That is not a reason.

I am admired also in Europe." And she began to walk homeward again.
"What could I say to keep you ?" asked Acton.

He wanted to keep her, and it was a fact that he had been thinking of her for a week.

He was in love with her now; he was conscious of that, or he thought he was; and the only question with him was whether he could trust her.
"What you can say to keep me ?" she repeated.

"As I want very much to go it is not in my interest to tell you.