"What if I were--willing to marry you ?" Something of her agitation had entered into him.

A great quiver went through him also.

But--"You're not," he said quietly, with conviction.
A trembling hand strayed upwards, feeling over his neck and throat, groping for his face.

"Rufus"-- again came the tense whisper--"how do you know that ?" He took the wandering hand and pressed it softly against his cheek.
"Because you don't love me, Columbine," he said.
"Ah!" A low sob escaped her; she lifted her head suddenly; the tears were running down her face.

"But--but--you could teach me, Rufus.