And through it all they sat with eyes still locked, until he spoke again.
"You believe, at least, in the bona fides of my offer ?" And Rachel, still looking in his eyes, murmured that she did.
"You will bear in mind how essentially it differs from the ordinary offer of the kind; also, that I have never for a moment pretended to be in love with you ?" "I will." Steel had risen as if to go; the keen scrutiny was withdrawn, a distinct spell as distinctly broken; and yet he lingered, with a smile.
"That," said he, "was a poor compliment to pay twice over! But it is human to err, and in my anxiety not to do so on the side of sentiment I own myself in danger of flying to the other extreme.

Well, you know which is the common extreme in such cases; and at all events we shall avoid the usual pitfall.

I am going to give you a few minutes to think it over; then, if you care to go into it further, I shall be most happy; if not, the matter is at an end." A few minutes! Rachel felt very angry, without knowing that she was most angry with herself for not feeling angrier still.

She had heard quite enough; it were weakness to listen to another word; and yet--and yet-- "Don't go," said Rachel, with some petulance; "that is quite unnecessary.

Anything more extraordinary--but I owe you too much already to be your critic.