"Cothope knew," she said. "By instinct. I
could feel it."
"I suppose," I began, "once, this would have mattered immensely. Now--"
"Nothing matters," she said, completing me. "I felt I had to tell you. I
wanted you to understand why I didn't marry you--with both hands. I have
loved you"--she paused--"have loved you ever since the day I kissed you
in the bracken. Only--I forgot."
And suddenly she dropped her face upon her hands, and sobbed
passionately--
"I forgot--I forgot," she cried, and became still....
I dabbled my paddle in the water. "Look here!" I said; "forget again!
Here am I--a ruined man. Marry me."
She shook her head without looking up.
We were still for a long time. "Marry me!" I whispered.
She looked up, twined back a whisp of hair, and answered
dispassionately--
"I wish I could. Anyhow, we have had this time. It has been a fine
time--has it been--for you also? I haven't nudged you all I had to give.
It's a poor gift--except for what it means and might have been. But we
are near the end of it now.
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