How can I ask you to marry me! I'll give you back your promise, Celia." "Generous offer refused without thanks," said Celia, trying to speak lightly; then her voice grew grave and sweet, as she said, in a low voice, "Do you think it would make any difference to me if a hundred Lady Gridboroughs, if all the world, turned their backs on you?
She does not know what I know; that you are innocent, that you sacrificed yourself, are still sacrificing yourself, for another person ?" "You're speaking about the forged cheque," said Derrick, moodily.

"But there's something else.

See here, dearest--God bless you for those sweet words, for your trust in me!--but there's something else.

It was not because of the cheque that Lady Gridborough cut me just now--I'm not sure that she knows anything about it--but for something else she thinks me guilty of; something worse than forgery, something unutterably mean and base--Oh, I've got to tell you!" "Not now," said Celia, resolutely.

"If you were to tell me now, I should feel that you think Lady Gridborough's conduct had forced you to do it; and I want you to tell me, if ever you do so, of your own free will." She paused, then she put her hands on his shoulder and looked up at him, with all her soul in her eyes.