But he turned and saw that Wethermill was talking volubly.

What Harry Wethermill was saying he was saying in a foolish burst of confidence.
"You have guessed it, Helene--you alone." He had mortgaged his patent twice over--once in France, once in England--and the second time had been a month ago.

He had received a large sum down, which went to pay his pressing creditors.

He had hoped to pay the sum back from a new invention.
"But Helene, I tell you," he said, "I have a conscience." And when she smiled he explained.

"Oh, not what the priests would call a conscience; that I know.