Well, I've heard my character now," she said unsteadily.

"I--I didn't know anyone thought of me--like that." He stared at her--at the drooping lines of her figure, the quivering lips, at the half-stunned expression of the dark eyes.

And suddenly realisation of the enormity of all he had said seemed to come to him.
But he did not appear to be at all overwhelmed by it.
"I'm afraid I've transgressed beyond forgiveness now," he said curtly.
"But--you rather asked for it, you know, didn't you ?" "Yes," she admitted.

"I think I did--ask for it." Suddenly she threw up her head and faced him.

"If--if it's any satisfaction to you to know it, I think you've paid off at least some of your friend's score." She looked at him with a curious, almost piteous surprise.