Please do not press me any more now." The torrent of his passion was stayed by this appeal to his forbearance.
He essayed to calm down his impetuous eagerness for a decision of his fate, and said penitently: "I beg your pardon.

I really forgot.

I have so long sought an opportunity to speak to you upon this matter, and I have been so often balked at the last moment, that when a seeming chance came I was carried away with it, and in my selfish eagerness for my own happiness, I forgot your distress.

Forgive me--do." "I have nothing to forgive," she said frankly, most touched by his tender consideration.

"You never allow me an occasion for forgiveness, or to do anything in any way to offset the favors you continually heap upon me." "Pay them all a thousand times over by giving me the least reason to hope." "I only wish I could--I only wish I dared.