"
"You cared that much for me?"
"Yes," she confessed frankly, "I did. I would never have told you so
under ordinary conditions. But I can now, here, where we are--alone
together in this boat." She paused, as though endeavoring to choose
the proper words. "We both realize the changed relations between us."
I drew a quick, startled breath.
"That--that I love you!" the exclamation left my lips before I was
aware.
"Yes," she said calmly. "I could not help that. At first I never
deemed such a result of our friendship possible. I was Philip Henley's
wife, and I gave this possible danger scarcely a thought. Indeed it
did not seem a danger. While it is true he was husband in name only,
yet I was wife forever. That is my religion. Now the conditions are
all changed, instantly changed by his death."
"You believe then he is dead?"
"I am as sure of it as though I had seen his body. I feel it to be
true." There was an instant of hesitation, while I waited
breathlessly. "Do you understand now why because of the fact we can no
longer remain friends?"
"Yes," I burst forth, "because you know how I have grown to feel toward
you; you--you resent--"
"Have I said so?"
"No, not in words; that was not necessary, but I understand.
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