You have the right to be ; but, ah ! if you only
knew what I feel for you."

" Don't tell me, Camelia."

" But I must. I love everything about you — I
always have. When you were near me I saw every
gesture you made, heard every word you spoke,
knew every thought you had about me. I love
your little ways — I know them all ; that wag of
your foot when you are angry, the look of your
teeth when you smile, your hands, your face, your
dear rough hair "

Perior had turned from red to white, and still
looking at him, shaking her head a little, she finished
very simply on a long sigh —

" I can't live without you. I can't^

" Camelia, I can't marry you,'* he said ; and then,
taking breath in the ensuing silence, " You are mis-
taken. I don't love you. I have your welfare at
my heart ; I wish you all happiness, all good. I
am sorry, terribly sorry for you ; but I do not love
you. You must believe me. I do not love you.
I will not marry you. — God forgive me for the lie,"
he said to himself; "but no, no, no, I cannot
marry her, poor impulsive, wilful, half noble, half
pitiful child, a thousand times no." The strong
rebellion of his very soul steadied him. He could

202



"" THE CONFOUNDING OF CAMELIA

yield without a tremor to his pity, could take her
hands and hold them in a clasp convincingly pater-
nal and pitying.
