I don't think I have ever understood you until now.

Certainly never until now could I be sure of what I hoped." "Of what you hoped ?" His voice sank as if in awe.

"What ?" he asked.
She looked away, and her persisting, yet ever-changing smile grew slightly arch.
"You do not then intend to ask me to marry you ?" she said.
"How could I ?" It was an explosion almost of anger.

"You yourself suggested that it would be an insult; and so it would.

It is to take advantage of the position into which your foolish generosity has betrayed you.