He assured Barbara that she was the only woman he had ever loved with such force and conviction that in the end she almost believed him.

But this belief, if it existed, did not in the least shake her absolutely definite determination to have nothing whatsoever to do with her would-be lover.
Not until she had told him so six times, however, did he consent to believe her, for indeed he had been led to expect a very different answer.
"I suppose you care for someone else," he said at last.
"Yes," said Barbara, whose back, metaphorically, was against the wall.
"Somebody much more--suitable." "No," said Barbara, "he is poor and not distinguished and has all his way to make in the world." "He might change his mind, or--die." "If so, I should not change mine," said Barbara.

"Very likely I shall not marry him, but I shall not marry anyone else." "In heaven's name, why not ?" "Because it would be a sacrilege against heaven." Then at last Mr.Russell understood.
"Allow me to offer you my good wishes and to assure you of my earnest and unalterable respect," he said in a somewhat broken voice, and taking her hand he touched it lightly with his lips, turned, and departed out of Barbara's sight and life.
Ten minutes later Lady Thompson arrived, and her coming was like to that of a thunderstorm.

She shut the door, locked it, and sat down in an armchair in solemn, lurid silence.

Then with one swift flash the storm broke.
"What is this I hear from Mr.Russell ?" "I am sure I don't know what you have heard from Mr.Russell," answered Barbara faintly.
"Perhaps, but you know very well what there was to hear, you wicked, ungrateful girl." "Wicked!" murmured Barbara, "ungrateful!" "Yes, it is wicked to lead a man on and then reject him as though he were--rubbish.