"No," she said, somewhat coldly, drawing it away with more force than I should have suspected. "This is extremely foolish, Mr. Urwin. It is, of course, my fault. I've been wrong in acting as I have done." "How?" I inquired, her harsh, cruel words instantly bringing me to my senses. "You have flirted with me on several occasions, and perhaps I have even foolishly encouraged you. If I have done so, then I am alone to blame. Every woman is flattered by attention," she answered, gazing straight into my eyes, and sighing slightly. "But I love you!" I cried. "You surely must have seen, Eva, that from the first day we were introduced I have been irrevocably yours. I have not, I assure you, uttered these words without weighty consideration, nor without calmly putting the question to myself. Can you give me absolutely no hope?" She shook her head. There was a sorrowful expression upon her face, as though she pitied me. "None," she answered, and her great blue eyes were downcast. "Ah, no!" I cried in quick protest. "Don't say that. I love you with a fierce, ardent affection such as few men have within their hearts. If you will but reciprocate that love, then I swear that the remainder of my life shall be devoted to you." "It is impossible," she responded in a harsh, despairing voice, quite unlike her usual self. Her head was bowed, as though she dare not again look into my face. Once more I caught her hand, holding it within my grasp. It seemed to have grown cold, and in an instant its touch brought back to me the recollection of that fatal night in Kensington. Would that I might lay bare all that I knew, and ask her for an explanation. But to do so would be to show that I doubted her; therefore I was compelled to remain silent. "Why impossible?" I inquired persuasively. "The many times we have met since our first introduction have only served to increase my love for you. Surely you will not withhold from me every hope?" "Alas!" she faltered, with a downward sweep of her lashes, her hand trembling in mine, "I am compelled." "Compelled?" I echoed. "I don't understand. You are not engaged to Langdale?" "No." "Then why are you forced to give me this negative answer?" I asked in deep earnestness, for until then I had not known the true strength of my love for her. The seriousness of her beautiful countenance relaxed slightly, still her breast slowly heaved and fell, plainly showing the agitation within her. "Because it is absolutely imperative that I should do so," she replied. Suddenly a thought flashed through my mind. "Perhaps," I said, "perhaps I've been too precipitate. If so--if I have spoken too plainly and frankly--forgive me, Eva. It is only because I can no longer repress the great love I bear you. I think of you always--always. My every thought is of you; my every hope is of happiness at your side; my very life depends upon your favour and your love."