And what if I am Valmai?
What is she to you after all these months of cruel neglect ?" Cardo stood still.

Was this the meeting he had pictured to himself a thousand times?
Had her troubles unhinged her mind?
Was she distraught?
"What is it, Valmai, my darling, that has changed you so?
What is that cold, haughty look on your face?
I am Cardo, dearest--your own Cardo! come back to explain everything to you, and to clasp you in his loving arms," and again he approached as if to embrace her.
"Stand back," said Gwladys once more.

"If you come a step nearer, I will call for help from the house." "No, no," said Cardo, "do not do that.

I will obey you, dearest; but tell me what is the meaning of this change in you?
Oh, Valmai! has your love indeed perished?
Have you forgotten the happy past, the walks by the Berwen, the fortnight at Fordsea?
I have been ill, dearest--have lain unconscious for months in a hospital; but I swear that, from the moment I left you until now, every conscious thought, every fibre of my being, every chord of memory has been faithful to you, and to you alone! Come and sit on this bench.

Five minutes will explain all to you, and I will not believe that my Valmai can have become the cold and heartless girl you seem to be." But Gwladys continued standing, and looking at him with eyes in which scorn and contempt were but too plainly visible.
"Good heavens, Valmai!" said Cardo, with clenched hands, the cold sweat breaking out on his face; "do you remember it is a man's very soul you are trifling with?
Do you know what a man's heart is?
what his love means--such love as mine ?" "Such love as yours!" said Gwladys coldly.