He was touched, and his heart smote him.
"I have kept you waiting, I fear," said Valerie, motioning him to a seat at a little distance from that on which she placed herself; "but you will forgive me," she added, with a slight smile.

Then, observing he was about to speak, she went on rapidly; "Hear me, Mr.Maltravers--before you speak, hear me! You uttered words last night that ought never to have been addressed to me.

You professed to--love me." "Professed!" "Answer me," said Valerie, with abrupt energy, "not as man to woman, but as one human creature to another.

From the bottom of your heart, from the core of your conscience, I call on you to speak the honest and the simple truth.

Do you love me as your heart, your genius, must be capable of loving ?" "I love you truly--passionately!" said Maltravers, surprised and confused, but still with enthusiasm in his musical voice and earnest eyes.