It--" "Let me think so, whether it be true or not," he implored her, eyes between tenderness and whimsicality intent upon her face.

"Let me believe it, for the belief has brought me happiness--the greatest happiness, I think, that I have ever known.

I can know but one greater, and that--" He broke off suddenly, and she observed that the hand he had stretched out trembled a moment ere it was abruptly lowered again.

It was as a man who had reached forth to grasp something that he craves, and checked his desire upon a sudden thought.
She felt oddly stirred, despite herself, and oddly constrained.

It may have been to disguise this that she half turned to the table, saying: "You were about to smoke when I came." And she took up his pipe and tobacco--jar to offer them.
"Ah, but since you've come, I would not dream," he said.
She looked at him.