I doubt if I'm clever enough--" Charnock stopped him.

"No! Perhaps I used excuses, but my object is not to clear myself." He paused and colored.

"We'll admit that Helen lost nothing when I gave her up; but a girl, particularly a young, romantic girl, feels that kind of thing, and it might hurt worse if she thought she had loved a wastrel.

I want her to feel that I broke my engagement for her sake, when nothing else was possible.

That might soften the blow, and I really think it's true." "How much of it is true ?" Festing asked bluntly.
"Ah," said Charnock, "you're an uncompromising fellow.