If you knew how much I loved you, I'm sure you'd
agree that you couldn't resist that love for long."
Van Reypen looked very handsome and very earnest as he gazed into
Patty's eyes. And Patty looked very sweet and dear as she gazed back
at him with a troubled expression on her lovely face.
Then with a sudden, impulsive gesture she put out both her hands and
Philip took them in his own.
"Don't make me decide now, Phil," she said, and she looked at him
with a pathetic smile. "I don't know what I want. I know I DON'T
want to marry you,--or anybody else,--for a long time. And I don't
think I want to be engaged to anybody just yet, either."
"Of course you don't, you dear little girl," and Van Reypen's tone
was hearty and genuinely helpful. "You've only just begun to have
your little fling, and enjoy yourself in your own sweet, butterfly
way. And I'm not going to tease you or cause you one moment's worry.
But, oh, Patty, darling, if ever you have a moment when you want to
think about these things, think about me, won't you, dear? and
remember that my whole heart is yours and my whole life is devoted
to you. You don't understand now, what the whole love of a man
means, but some day you will, and then, if your heart can turn to
me, let it do so, won't you,--little sweetheart?"
Patty was thrilled, not only by Philip's words, but by the deep and
sincere love shining in his eyes, and which she could not mistake.
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