I--I loved you so dearly--so fearlessly--"
Tears blinded her; she bent her head, and they fell on the soft delicate
stuff of her gown, flashing downward in the sunlight.
"Dear," he said gently, "nothing is altered between us. I love you in
that way, too."
"D-do you--really?" she stammered, shrinking away from him.
"Truly. Nothing is altered; nothing of the bond between us is weakened.
On the contrary, it is strengthened. You cannot understand that now. But
what you are to believe and always understand is that our friendship
must endure. Will you believe it?"
"Y-yes--" She buried her face in her handkerchief and sat very still for
a long time. He had risen and walked to the farther end of the veranda;
and for a minute he stood there, his narrowed eyes following the sky
flight of the white gulls off Wonder Head.
When at length he returned to her she was sitting low in the swing, both
arms extended along the back of the seat. Evidently she had been waiting
for him; and her face was very grave and sorrowful.
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