I adore you.' Aylmer stopped, deeply moved at the sound of his own words.

Few people realise the effect such words have on the speaker.

Saying them to her was a great joy, and an indulgence, but it increased painfully his passionate feeling, making it more accentuated and acute.

To let himself go verbally was a wild, bitter pleasure.

It hurt him, and he enjoyed it.
'And I'd do anything in the world to get you.