HE: "No; it was cowardly, it was mean, it was unmanly. I see it
now, but I will spend my life in repairing the wrong, if you will
only let me." He impetuously advances some paces toward her, and
then stops, arrested by her irresponsive attitude.

SHE, with a light sigh, and looking down at the paper, which she has
continued to hold between her hands: "There was a time--a moment--
when I might have answered as you wish."

HE: "Oh! then there will be again. If you have changed once, you
may change once more. Let me hope that some time--any time, dearest"
-

SHE, quenching him with a look: "Mr. Ransom, I shall NEVER change
toward you! You confess that you had your opportunity, and that you
despised it."

HE: "Oh! NOT despised it!"

SHE: "Neglected it."

HE: "Not wilfully--no. I confess that I was stupidly, vilely,
pusillan--pusillan--illani" -

SHE: "'Monsly" -

HE: "Thanks--'mously unworthy of it; but I didn't despise it; I
didn't neglect it; and if you will only let me show by a lifetime of
devotion how dearly and truly I have loved you from the first moment