On the whole, he admired her
courage. What she had said could not be attributed to the mere
promptings of vulgar sex-jealousy. Very likely Fanny had been
disagreeable and haughty in her manner. He believed her capable of
it. He sympathized with Fanny; with the curious mental aptitude of a
sensitive nature, he still loved Fanny. It had cost him real effort
to close the doors of his heart against her.
"I admire you more than I can express for what you have had the
courage to tell me," he assured her. "And you will let me see that I
understand--more than you think."
"It is impossible that you should understand," she said tranquilly.
"But you will, at least, remember what I have said?"
"I will," he promised easily. "I shall never forget it!"
A slight humorous smile curved the corners of his handsome mouth.
"Now this--er--what shall we call it?--'bone of contention' savors
too strongly of wrath and discomfiture; so we'll say, simply and
specifically, this photograph--which chances to have a harmless
quotation inscribed upon its reverse: Suppose I drop it in the
waste-basket? I can conceive that it possesses no particular
significance or value for any one. I assure you most earnestly that
it does not--for me."
He made as though he would have carelessly torn the picture across,
preparatory to making good his proposal.
She stopped him with a swift gesture.
"Give it to me," she said. "It is lost property, and I am responsible
for its safe-keeping.
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