' The question is not a pleasant one when put by
a lady to a gentleman whose affections towards her are not strong, and
it requires a very good actor to produce an efficient answer.
'I hope you do, Thomas. It would be sad, indeed, if you did not. You
are not weary of your Camilla are you?'
For a moment there came upon him an idea that he would confess that he
was weary of her, but he found at once that such an effort was beyond
his powers. 'How can you ask such a question?' he said.
'Because you do not come to me.' Camilla, as she spoke, laid her head
upon his shoulder and wept. 'And now you have been five minutes with me
and nearly an hour with Bella.'
'She wanted me to read to her,' said Mr Gibson, and he hated himself
thoroughly as he said it.
'And now you want to get away as fast as you can,' continued Camilla.
'Because of the morning service,' said Mr Gibson. This was quite true,
and yet he hated himself again for saying it. As Camilla knew the truth
of the last plea, she was obliged to let him go; but she made him swear
before he went that he loved her dearly.
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