Can you, will you love me ?" There was still a pause, a moment's pause, and then some sound did fall from her lips.

But yet it was so soft, so gentle, so slight, that it could hardly be said to reach even a lover's ear.

Fitzgerald, however, made the most of it.

Whether it were Yes, or whether it were No, he took it as being favourable, and Lady Clara Desmond gave him no sign to show that he was mistaken.
"My own, own, only loved one," he said, embracing her as it were with his words, since the presence of her approaching mother forbade him even to take her hand in his, "I am happy now, whatever may occur; whatever others may say; for I know that you will be true to me.

And remember this--whatever others may say, I also will be true to you.
You will think of that, will you not, love ?" This time she did answer him, almost audibly.