At times, dear Grace, since receiving your father's letter, I am as uneasy and fearful as a child at what he said.

If one of us were to die before the formal signing and sealing that is to release you have been done--if we should drop out of the world and never have made the most of this little, short, but real opportunity, I should think to myself as I sunk down dying, 'Would to my God that I had spoken out my whole heart--given her one poor little kiss when I had the chance to give it! But I never did, although she had promised to be mine some day; and now I never can.' That's what I should think." She had begun by watching the words from his lips with a mournful regard, as though their passage were visible; but as he went on she dropped her glance.

"Yes," she said, "I have thought that, too.

And, because I have thought it, I by no means meant, in speaking of the proprieties, to be reserved and cold to you who loved me so long ago, or to hurt your heart as I used to do at that thoughtless time.

Oh, not at all, indeed! But--ought I to allow you ?--oh, it is too quick--surely!" Her eyes filled with tears of bewildered, alarmed emotion.
Winterborne was too straightforward to influence her further against her better judgment.