"If--if I agreed--and let the pretence go on--people would be sure to find out sooner or later.

Wouldn't they ?" "I am not suggesting any pretence," he said.
"What do you mean then ?" Sylvia said, compelling herself to speak steadily.
"I am asking you to marry me," he said, with equal steadiness.
"Really, do you mean?
You are actually in earnest ?" Her voice had a sharp quiver in it.

She was trembling suddenly.

"Please be quite plain with me!" she said.

"Remember, I don't know you very well.