Gerald likes it.'
'Did you think it odd,' she said after a pause, 'that I should ask
you to come over again?'
'Was it odd?' he replied.
'That is as you may take it. There is certainly no other man in
the world to whom I would have done it.'
'Not to Tregear?'
'Yes,' she said; 'yes,--to Tregear, could I have been as sure of a
welcome for him as I am for you. Frank is in all respects the same
as a brother to me. That would not have seemed odd;--I mean to
myself.'
'And has this been--odd,--to yourself?'
'Yes. Not that anybody has felt it. Only I,--and perhaps you. You
felt it so?'
'Not especially. I thought you were a good fellow. I have always
thought that;--except when you made me take back the ring.'
'Does that still fret you?'
'No man likes to take back a thing. It makes him seem to have been
awkward and stupid in giving it.'
'It was the value--'
'You should have left me to judge of that.'
'If I have offended you I will beg your pardon. Give me anything
but that, and I will take it.'
'But why not that?' said he.
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