`` Well , what else ? '' `` Nothing more -- at least , nothing about you . The rest was about myself -- I did not mind it -- much . But I was so sorry to think that I had done you harm . It is not too late to undo it . You must not come here any more . Then they will forget . '' `` Perhaps -- but I should not forget . It 's a little too late for me . Lynde , you must not let this venomous letter come between us . I love you , dear -- I 've loved you ever since I met you and I want you for my wife . '' Alan had not intended to say that just then , but the words came to his lips in spite of himself . She looked so sad and appealing and weary that he wanted to have the right to comfort and protect her . She turned her eyes full upon him with no hint of maidenly shyness or shrinking in them . Instead , they were full of a blank , incredulous horror that swallowed up every other feeling . 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 XXXXX this .
about at between if in of since that upon with