Did--did--the time seem long?'
'I--I'm not quite sure,' he stammered, obviously as ill at ease as
myself. 'You see, to be perfectly frank, Miss Warrington, I was at the
time in love as far as I believe, and it seems a confused period.'
I waited for him to continue, my eyes discreetly lowered. As, however,
he did not go on, I raised them again.
'Yes?' I said encouragingly.
'That's all,' he replied. He looked so embarrassed and unhappy, and
wore such an imploring expression I realized that now or never I must
come to his relief.
I laid down my knitting and leaned forward. 'Mr. Rawlings,' I said
impressively--'or, shall I say William--I have known of the state of
your feelings towards me for some time now.'
He raised his head, and there was no disguising the look of hope in his
eye. 'Do you really mean that?' he asked eagerly.
I nodded. 'I want to tell you not to be afraid. However harsh I once
seemed to you, the sight of your devotion and self-sacrifice has
touched me.'
'Devotion--self-sacrifice,' he murmured in a wondering tone.
'As such do I regard them, William. But they have reaped their reward.
I . . . how shall I tell you . . . it is so difficult . . .'
I paused in some distress, wondering if Queen Victoria had felt as
uncomfortable about it as I did.
'I want to tell you that . . . I love you, William,' I said at last,
very softly.
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