She nodded, surprised to find that her eyes had suddenly filled with tears. Why, she did not know. What[159] had she been about to confess to him? It was just as well Billie had interrupted.
\ufffd\ufffdColin,\ufffd\ufffd she said gently, \ufffd\ufffdwhy did you let me marry Gilbert? I asked you once before in a different form. I think\ufffd\ufffdI am almost sure, I was ripe for love in those old days when we used to poke round picture-galleries and book-shops together. I was always perfectly happy with you. Didn\ufffd\ufffdt that mean love? Why didn\ufffd\ufffdt you tell me?\ufffd\ufffd
Richards\ufffd\ufffd voice was heard at the door. \ufffd\ufffdMr. Iverson.\ufffd\ufffd
\ufffd\ufffdHe\ufffd\ufffds known all the time,\ufffd\ufffd went on Claudia, stroking her hair, as she would have a child\ufffd\ufffds. \ufffd\ufffdIt\ufffd\ufffds been a terrible burden, Fay. You can see from his face how he has been brooding over it. Jack\ufffd\ufffds never had to bear any[327] kind of trouble in his life before. The world has been all rose-leaves for him. I think he\ufffd\ufffds been putting up a bit of a fight, too, because he hates trouble and illness, and all th