Can you tell me why Lana Helmer is unhappy ?" A dark red flush surged up to the roots of his hair, and the muscles in his jaw tightened.

He remained a moment mute and motionless, staring at me.

But if my question, for the first moment, had enraged him, that quickly died out; and into his eyes there came a haggard look such as I had never seen there.
He said slowly: "Were you not the man you are, Loskiel, I had answered in a manner you might scarcely relish.

Now, I answer you that if Lana is unhappy I am more so.

And that our unhappiness is totally unnecessary--if she would but listen to what I say to her." "And what is it that you say to her ?" I inquired as coolly as though his answer might not very easily be a slap with his fringed sleeve across my face.
"I have asked her to marry me," he said.