Paul dropped her hand as if he , read her thoughts , and his own hand went involuntarily toward his breast , betraying that the locket still hung there . `` What did I say ? '' he asked , smiling at her sudden shyness . `` You vowed you 'd win and wed your fair little lady-love if you lived . '' `` And so I will , '' he cried , with sudden fire in his eyes . `` What , marry her ? '' `` Aye , that I will . '' `` Oh Paul , will you tie yourself for life to a -- '' The word died on her lips , but a gesture of repugnance finished the speech . `` A what ? '' he demanded , excitedly . `` An innocent , one bereft of reason , '' stammered Lillian , entirely forgetting herself in her interest for him . `` Of whom do you speak ? '' asked Paul , looking utterly bewildered , `` Of poor Helen . '' `` Good heavens , who told you that base lie ? '' And his voice deepened with indignant pain . `` I saw her , you did not deny her affliction ; Hester said so , and I believed it . Have I wronged her , Paul ? '' `` Yes , cruelly . She is blind , but no idiot , thank God . '' There was such earnestness in his voice , such reproach in his words , and such ardor in his eye , that Lillian 's pride gave way , and with a broken entreaty for pardon , she covered up her face , weeping the bitterest tears she ever shed .
For in that moment , and the sharp pang it brought her , she felt how much she loved XXXXX and how hard it was to lose him .
Helen Hester Lillian Paul entreaty eyes fire locket shyness voice