Columbine, don't tell me as you want him to!" His expression for the moment was formidable.

She caught an ominous gleam in the stern eyes, but almost immediately they softened.

He uttered a sigh that ended in a groan.

"Now I'm being a brute to you, when there's nothing that I wouldn't do for your sake." His voice shook a little.

"You won't believe it, but it's true--it's true." "Why shouldn't I believe it ?" she said swiftly.