DO you , Stephen ? '' I had to look her in the eyes , since nothing else would do her ; and , as I did so , all the might of manhood in me rose up in hot revolt against the lie I would have told her . That unfaltering , impelling gaze of hers drew the truth from my lips in spite of myself . `` No , I do n't wish you to marry Frank Douglas , a thousand times no ! '' I said passionately . `` I do n't wish you to marry any man on earth but myself . I love you -- I love you , Betty . You are dearer to me than life -- dearer to me than my own happiness . It was your happiness I thought of -- and so I asked you to marry Frank because I believed he would make you a happy woman . That is all ! '' Betty 's defiance went from her like a flame blown out . She turned away and drooped her proud head . `` It could not have made me a happy woman to marry one man , loving another , '' she said , in a whisper . I got up and went over to her . `` Betty , whom do you love ? '' I asked , also in a whisper . `` You , '' she murmured meekly -- oh , so meekly , my proud little girl ! `` Betty , '' I said brokenly , `` I 'm old -- too old for you -- I 'm more than twenty years your senior -- I 'm -- '' `` Oh ! '' Betty wheeled around on me and stamped her foot . `` Do n't mention your age to me again .
I do n't care if you 're XXXXX old as Methuselah .
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