I knew you wouldn't." He paused, then rose to his feet.

When he spoke again his voice carried a note of whimsical lightness that was a little forced.

"But I must go--else you _will_ take them from me, and with good reason.

And please don't let your kind heart grieve too much--over me.

I'm no deep-dyed villain in a melodrama, nor wicked lover in a ten-penny novel, you know.