"I don't think we can do that," I answered. "You see, I want to go
to Kerrin Island for part of our honeymoon."
She made a slight movement, but I went on without giving her time to
speak.
"My dear heart," I said, "do you imagine that I'm going to let you go
again unless you absolutely send me away from you?"
Coming up to her, I took her two hands, and, lifting them up to my
lips, kissed them alternately.
She looked down on me with something very like tears in her eyes.
"You're a dear, Stephen," she said softly, "you're a dear; but--but
it can't be."
"And why not?" I demanded.
"Oh," she said pitifully. Then, with an effort: "You see, I don't
love you, Stephen."