Fair (her voice very soft). You love me! You, Carter, my own dear
cousin! You love me! Oh, Carter, I never thought--I never, never dreamed
that it could be!

Carter. But now you must not dream. I say again I love you! It is
so easy to say that to you now. Say you love me!

Fair (quietly and with an effort at calmness). Of course, I love you,
Carter. You are my cousin, my kinsman, my own dear friend. Why, ever
since I can remember I have loved you. But--but--such love as this you
ask for now--Oh, Carter, can't you see--I cannot love you in that way.

Carter. But you can learn. Oh, surely, you can learn to love me!
I've loved you for so long! It won't be hard to show you how that love
can grow. Why, ever since you were a tiny little girl, I have loved you
and watched over you and taken care of you. Do you remember that day, so
many years ago, when you ran away and walked far down the road to meet
your father? You thought you would surprise him as he came back home
from town. You never thought how far you were from home. You walked and
walked until you were so tired you sat down by the road to wait. It was
growing late, and you were frightened at the darkness coming on, and you
began to cry--for you were such a little girl, and it was getting very
dark. And then I came along and found you. You thought at first I was a
bear; but when I spoke, you ran right into my arms and kissed me, and
said you were so glad I'd come to take you home. Ever since that day
I've loved you--loved with all my heart, with all my soul! Now, I must
give this love to you. Look at me--speak to me--say you will try! Say I
may keep you in my heart, as I have done ever since that day, so many
years ago!