And the answer came to me in a flash, with the beating of my own heart.
"I will tell you how you knew, Ruth," I whispered passionately.

"It was because I loved you more than anyone in the world has ever loved you, and you felt my love in your heart and called it sympathy." I stopped short, for she had blushed scarlet and then turned deathly pale.

And now she looked at me wildly, almost with terror.
"Have I shocked you, Ruth, dearest ?" I exclaimed penitently, "have I spoken too soon?
If I have, forgive me.

But I had to tell you.

I have been eating my heart out for love of you for I don't know how long.