As a matter of fact, I have always been in love with you without knowing it.

You are not the only fool," she said, with a confused little laugh.
"You darling!" She smiled again uncertainly and shook her head: "I truly believe I have always been in love with you....

Now that I look back and consider, I am sure of it." She lifted her pretty head and gazed at him, then with a gay little laugh of sheer happiness almost defiant: "You see I am not afraid to love you," she said.
"Afraid?
Why should you be ?" he repeated, watching her expression.
"Because--I am not going to marry you," she announced, gaily.
He stared at her, stunned.
"Listen, you funny boy," she added, framing his face with her hands and smiling confidently into his troubled eyes: "I am not afraid to love you because I never was afraid to face the inevitable.

And the inevitable confronts me now.

And I know it.