Do you understand me, Wilfrid?
Do you see that I make the future smooth for her and you?
She must never know what _we_ know, And the others--they shall do as I will; they shall not dare to speak one word against you.
What right have they, if _I_ am--am glad ?' He stood in amaze.

It was impossible to doubt her sincerity; her face, the music of her voice, the gestures by which her eagerness expressed herself, all were too truthful.

What divine nature had lain hidden in this woman! He gazed at her as on a being more than mortal.
'How can I accept this from you ?' he asked hoarsely.
'Accept?
How can you refuse?
It is my right, it is my will! Would you refuse me this one poor chance of proving that my love was unselfish?
I would have killed myself to win a tender look from you at the last moment, and you shall not go away thinking less of me than I deserve.
You know already that I am not the idle powerless woman you once thought me; you shall know that I can do yet more.

If _she_ is noble in your eyes, can _I_ consent to be less so ?' Passion the most exalted possessed her.

It infected Wilfrid.