With the other she felt for her handkerchief and frankly wiped her eyes.
"You startled me," she explained presently.

"And I am so sorry, so very sorry! I never dreamed that you thought of me at all--in that way, any more than I have thought of you.

You honour me very much.

But it is impossible.

Quite, quite impossible." "You mean my position here, as minister?
Believe me, I have thought of all that.