"Do not say anything to me now, Miss Lindsay, lest--" "What have I said?
What have I to say ?" "Nothing, except on my own affairs.

I love you dearly." She made an impatient movement, as if that were a very insignificant matter.
"You believe me, I hope," he said, timidly.
Gertrude made an effort to recover her habitual ladylike reserve, but her energy failed before she had done more than raise her head.

She relapsed into her listless attitude, and made a faint gesture of intolerance.
"You cannot be quite indifferent to being loved," he said, becoming more nervous and more urgent.

"Your existence constitutes all my happiness.
I offer you my services and devotion.

I do not ask any reward." (He was now speaking very quickly and almost inaudibly.) "You may accept my love without returning it.