She longed to say: "I am yours to do with as you please, and nothing in the universe matters but you and my love for you." The very core of her nature longed to say this to him; but her indomitable pride, which even passion could not overcome, kept her sitting there in silence while she felt that her heart was bursting with happiness.
"Have you thought it over, Gabriella ?" She nodded.

To save her life, she felt, she could not utter a word without sobbing.
"And you have absolutely and finally decided to have your way ?" This time she shook her head, but the tears fell on her cheeks and she did not brush them away.

From his voice she knew that she had triumphed, but there was no delight in the knowledge.

She did not want to triumph; she wanted only to yield to him and to make him happy by yielding.
"O George!" she cried suddenly, and held out her arms to him.
As he looked down at her his expression changed suddenly to one of intense sadness.

From his face, which had grown pale, he might have been contemplating the Eternal Verities, though, in reality, he was considering nothing more exalted than the dreary prospect of a lifetime spent in the society of Mrs.Carr.
Then, as Gabriella enfolded him, he laughed softly.