"' Then I went on in the same strain appealing to her pity,
and telling her how humble I should be as a husband.
I could see I had moved her; and now I think over the scene I fancy that
my appeal must have been a lot more touching than I imagined it was when
I was making it.
She said: 'I have always liked you a little. But I haven't loved you,
and I don't love you.' And then, after a pause--I was determined to say
nothing more--she said: 'Yes, I will marry you. I may be doing wrong--I
am certainly doing something very unusual; but I have no one to advise
me against it, and I will follow my impulse and marry you. I needn't say
that I shall do all I can to be a good wife to you. Ours will be a
curious marriage.... Perhaps, after all, I am very wicked!'
I cried out: 'No, you aren't--no you aren't! The saints aren't in it
with you!'
She smiled at this speech. She's so sensible, Camilla is. She's like a
man in some things; all really great women are.
I could tell you a lot more that passed immediately afterwards, but I
can feel already my voice is getting a bit tired. Besides, it's nothing
to you, Polycarp.
Then, afterwards, I said: 'You _will_ love me, you know.'
And I meant it. Any man in similar circumstances would have said it and
meant it.
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