There was no mistaking their expression and it struck an icy chill to Alan 's heart . He had certainly not expected a too ready response on her part -- he knew that even if she cared for him he might find it a matter of time to win her avowal of it -- but he certainly had not expected to see such evident abject dismay as her blanched face betrayed . She put up her hand as if warding a blow . `` Do n't -- do n't , '' she gasped . `` You must not say that -- you must never say it . Oh , I never dreamed of this . If I had thought it possible you could -- love me , I would never have been friends with you . Oh , I 've made a terrible mistake . '' She wrung her hands piteously together , looking like a soul in torment . Alan could not bear to see her pain . `` Do n't feel such distress , '' he implored . `` I suppose I 've spoken too abruptly -- but I 'll be so patient , dear , if you 'll only try to care for me a little . Ca n't you , dear ? '' `` I ca n't marry you , '' said Lynde desperately . She leaned against a slim white bole of a young birch behind her and looked at him wretchedly . `` Wo n't you please go away and forget me ? '' `` I ca n't forget you , '' Alan said , smiling a little in spite of his suffering . `` You are the only woman I can ever love -- and I ca n't give you up unless I have to . Wo n't you be frank with me , dear ? Do you honestly think you can never learn to love me ? ''
`` It is not that , '' said Lynde XXXXX a hard , unnatural voice .
at behind if in like of that to unless with