The subject dropped, and they talked of indifferent things.
On the homeward drive, when the dull sky grew dusk about them, and the suburban street-lamps began to show themselves in long glimmering lines, Widdowson returned with shamefaced courage to the subject which for some hours had been in abeyance.
'I can't part from you this evening without a word of hope to remember.
You know that I want you to be my wife.

Will you tell me if there is anything I can say or do to make your consent possible?
Have you any doubt of me ?' 'No doubt whatever of your sincerity.' 'In one sense, I am still a stranger to you.

Will you give me the Opportunity of making things between us more regular?
Will you allow me to meet some friend of yours whom you trust ?' 'I had rather you didn't yet.' 'You wish to know still more of me, personally ?' 'Yes--I think I must know you much better before I can consent to any step of that kind.' 'But,' he urged, 'if we became acquaintances in the ordinary way, and knew each other's friends, wouldn't that be most satisfactory to you ?' 'It might be.

But you forget that so much would have to be explained.

I have behaved very strangely.