What if this tinted dream of love does not exist for us?
What if we are only friends--dear and old friends"-- He stooped, and, taking her by the busy hands, made her stand up beside him.

"Cannot we marry and still be friends ?" he demanded, with something like laughter in his eyes.

"My dear, I would strive to make you happy; and happiness is as often found in that temperate land where we would dwell as in Love's flaming climate." He smiled and tried to find her eyes, downcast and hidden in the shadow of her hat.

"This is no flowery wooing such as women love," he said; "but then you are like no other woman.

Always the truth was best with you." Upon her wrenching her hands from his, and suddenly and proudly raising her head, he was amazed to find her white to the lips.
"The truth!" she said slowly.