It was an unwelcome thought that Bertram could be influenced by vain notions, and she upbraided herself for the pettiness of the suspicion. Wroxham, without fear of ridicule and with simplicity, could wear any clothes he chose. “I knew I should find you here,” he was saying. “You’re not angry with me for coming? I wanted to see you so badly.” “Good heavens, why should I be angry?” smiled Winnie. “You have just as much right to come as I.” She could not help being flattered by the passionate love which coloured every word he spoke, and her own voice gained a sweeter tenderness. “I can’t keep away from you, Winnie. I didn’t know I loved you so much.” “Oh, don’t, please,” she murmured, “we’ve been friends for ages. It would be absurd if we never saw one another again because--because of the other day. You know I’m always glad to see you.” “I couldn’t take your answer as final. Oh, I don’t want to bother you and make you miserable, but don’t you care for me at all? Don’t you think that after a time you may get to like me?” His humility touched Winnie so much that it made her answer very difficult. “I told you the other day it was impossible.” “Oh, I know. But then I couldn’t say what I wanted. I couldn’t understand. Like a fool, I thought you cared for me. I loved you so passionately that it seemed impossible I should be nothing to you at all.” “Please don’t say anything more, Harry,” she said, very gently. “It’s awfully kind of you, and I don’t know how to thank you. But I can’t marry you.” Wroxham, with a little instinctive motion, set the glasses more firmly on his nose, and looked at her sadly. She smiled. “Won’t you dance with me?” she said. His face lit up as he placed his arm round her waist and they began to waltz. The rhythm of the haunting melody carried Winnie’s soul away. She knew that she was giving great happiness, and it filled her with pleasure. The music stopped, and with a sigh of delight she sank into a chair. “I want to tell you something,” he said presently, with much seriousness. “If ever you change your mind I shall be waiting for you. I can never love any one else. I don’t want you to make any promise or to give me any encouragement. But I shall wait for you. And if ever the time comes that you think you can care for me, you will find me ready and eager to be--your very humble servant.” “I didn’t know you were so kind,” said she, with tears in her eyes. “I misjudged you, I thought you treated me like a fool. I’m sorry, I want you to be happy. But don’t be wretched because I can’t marry you; I’m not worth troubling about.” He looked at her fixedly, divining from her tone that something was troubling her. “Is anything the matter?” he asked. “No, what should be?” she answered, trying to smile, but blushing to the roots of her hair. “You’ve been crying.” “I had a headache. There’s really nothing else.”