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old directness：
〃Because I love you； Miss Nevil。〃
A sudden instinct to rise and move away； a greater one to remain
and hear him speak again； and a still greater one to keep back the
blood that she felt was returning all too quickly to her cheek
after the first shock； kept her silent。 But she dropped her eyes。
〃I loved you ever since I first saw you at Los Osos；〃 he went on
quickly； 〃I said to myself even then； that if there was a woman
that would fill my life； and make me what she wished me to be； it
was you。 I even fancied that day that you understood me better
than any woman； or even any man； that I had ever met before。 I
loved you through all that miserable business with that man； even
when my failure to make you happy with another brought me no nearer
to you。 I have loved you always。 I shall love you always。 I love
you more for this foolish kindness that brings YOU beneath my roof
once more； and gives me a chance to speak my heart to you； if only
once and for the last time； than all the fortune that you could put
at my disposal。 But I could not accept what you would offer me
from any woman who was not my wifeand I could not marry any woman
that did not love me。 I am perhaps past the age when I could
inspire a young girl's affection； but I have not reached the age
when I would accept anything less。〃 He stopped abruptly。 Grace
did not look up。 There was a tear glistening upon her long
eyelashes； albeit a faint smile played upon her lips。
〃Do you call this business； Mr。 Rushbrook？〃 she said softly。
〃Business？〃
〃To assume a proposal declined before it has been offered。〃
〃Gracemy darlingtell meis it possible？〃
It was too late for her to rise now； as his hands held both hers；
and his handsome mouth was smiling level with her own。 So it
really seemed to a dispassionate spectator that it WAS possible；
and before she had left the room； it even appeared to be the most
probable thing in the world。
。 。 。 。 。 。
The union of Grace Nevil and Robert Rushbrook was recorded by local
history as the crown to his victory over the Ring。 But only he and
his wife knew that it was the cause。
End