A step or two more would take her out of the garden into the moonlight, but always into this awful frankness of blunt and outspoken nature.

She hesitated, and turned the corner into the olive shadows.

It was, perhaps, more dangerous; but less shameless, and less like truckling.

And the appallingly direct Clarence instantly followed.
"I know you will despise me, hate me; and, perhaps, worst of all, disbelieve me; but I swear to you, now, that I have always loved you,--yes, ALWAYS! When first I came here, it was not to see my old playmate, but YOU, for I had kept the memory of you as I first saw you when a boy, and you have always been my ideal.

I have thought of, dreamed of, worshiped, and lived for no other woman.