She kept her stately head averted . `` If -- if you have loved me , Jeff , why did you never tell me so before ? '' `` How could I dare ? '' he said gravely . `` I knew I could never win you -- that I had no right to dream of you so . Oh , Sara , do n't be angry ! My love has been reverent and humble . I have asked nothing . I ask nothing now but your friendship . Do n't take that from me , Sara . Do n't be angry with me . '' `` I am angry , '' repeated Sara , `` and I think I have a right to be . '' `` Perhaps so , '' he said simply , `` but not because I have loved you . Such love as mine ought to anger no woman , Sara . But you have a right to be angry with me for presuming to put it into words . I should not have done so -- but I could not help it . It rushed to my lips in spite of me . Forgive me . '' `` I do n't know whether I can forgive you for not telling me before , '' said Sara steadily . '' That is what I have to forgive -- not your speaking at last , even if it was dragged from you against your will .
Did you think I would make you such a very poor wife , Jeff , that you would not ask me XXXXX marry you ? ''
If against as at because for that to whether with