He compromised by putting it on the table and she did not attempt to take it.
"Odette," he said gently and walked round to her, laying his hand on her shoulder.

"Why don't you tell me ?" "Tell you what ?" she asked, without looking up.
"Tell me all there is to be told," he said.

"I could help you.

I want to help you." She looked up at him.
"Why do you want to help me ?" she asked simply.
He was tongue-tied for a second.
"Because I love you," he said, and his voice shook.
It did not seem to him that he was talking.

The words came of their own volition.