She made a gallant stand.
"You are ridiculous!" she said.

"I will leave the room until my father comes back if you can't contain yourself." He was plainly terrified by the threat, nevertheless he had the assurance to put himself between her and the door.
"You have no cause to be angry with me," he said.

"You know I do not disrespect you!" He was silent for a moment.

His voice broke huskily.
"You are wonderful to me! I have to keep telling myself you are only a woman--of flesh and blood like myself--else I would be groveling on the floor at your feet, and you would despise me!" Colina stared at him in haughty silence.
"I love you!" he whispered with odd abruptness.

"No woman need be insulted by hearing that.