If, at that moment he had stepped around in front of her and looked into her face, he would have been amazed by what he saw. He would have seen great tears welling in her eyes, held in check by her long lashes; he would have seen a near approach to a smile behind those tears, although she was unconscious of that, herself; he would have noticed that she caught her breath again, but not in the same manner, nor from the same cause that had led to the like effort, earlier in their interview. When, at last, she did reply to him, it was in a far-away, uncertain voice, so soft, and so like the Patricia of quiet and sympathetic moods, that Roderick was startled, and he found himself compelled to hold his own spirit in check, lest he should forget the studied deportment he had determined upon for the occasion.
"Why do you insist upon it?" she asked him. He replied, without hesitation--and coldly: "Because I love you."
"Because ... you ... love ... me," she said, slowly, and so softly that he barely heard the words. They did not form a question; they comprised a statement, like his own.
"Yes," he said.
"But"--she hesitated--"there is another reason."
"Yes. We need not dwell upon that."
"Nevertheless, I should like to hear it."
"No."
"You will not tell me what it is?"
"It is not necessary. It is begging the question."
"You wish to give me the protection of your name. I think I understand."
"Have it so, if you wish."
"You wish to make me your wife. I am beginning to comprehend you, Roderick." The name slipped out, unconsciously, on her part, although he was tragically aware of it. "Have you remembered--have you thought of--are you quite aware of what you are doing?"
"Quite. I have remembered everything, thought of all things."
"And your reason for all this is--what? Tell me again, please."
"You make my task harder," he said, coldly. "My reason is that I love you."
Again, Patricia was silent for a time. Then: "How do you propose to carry out this chivalrous conduct? Who will marry us, if I agree to your absurd proposal?"
"It is not absurd. It is the only logical thing for you to do. Doctor Moreley will marry us. He came with me, in my special train." She caught at the arms of the chair, and clung to them. "Mrs. Moreley, with Evelyn and Kate, accompany him. It is a short ride to where the cars are sidetracked, waiting. You can ride there in the morning--or go there with me this evening, if you will."