"Then why not settle the whole thing, once and for all?"

"I don't know," said Carrie.

"Don't know! Ah, Carrie, what makes you say that? Don't torment
me. Be serious."

"I am," said Carrie, softly.

"You can't be, dearest, and say that. Not when you know how I
love you. Look at last night."

His manner as he said this was the most quiet imaginable. His
face and body retained utter composure. Only his eyes moved, and
they flashed a subtle, dissolving fire. In them the whole
intensity of the man's nature was distilling itself.

Carrie made no answer.

"How can you act this way, dearest?" he inquired, after a time.
"You love me, don't you?"

He turned on her such a storm of feeling that she was
overwhelmed. For the moment all doubts were cleared away.

"Yes," she answered, frankly and tenderly.

"Well, then you'll come, won't you--come to-night?"

Carrie shook her head in spite of her distress.