"I guess nothing of this sort!" I reiterated; "what right have you to place me in this position? What right have you, or any other man to deprive a woman of one of her dearest privileges--that of being wooed?"
"Constance!" he cried, and all his embarrassment was gone, "aren't there a thousand ways of saying 'I love you?' and haven't I said it in every way but one?"
"That one was the most important of all," I answered; "I would have given more to hear those words than to receive every other token."
His face lighted up with a sudden flash, and he started impulsively toward me.
"Then you do love me, my darling--I have hardly dared to hope."
But I drew back, and answered passionately, "No, I do not! I love no man who can trifle with a young girl, or any woman--no man who has the effrontery to expect some one to take for granted a courtship that has never existed!"
"For Heaven's sake, what do you mean?"
"Go to Miss Sprig and inquire; she has more reason to take your love for granted than I."
"I'll not go to her, but I shall leave you," he said, with a white face. "You certainly don't care for me, or you would never deal me such an unjust thrust as this."
And then I heard him close the front door. I think the neighborhood heard him.
I walked to the window. He was gone.
I told myself I was glad of it--that a good lesson had been taught.
Which of us was teacher remained somewhat obscure.