It was the truth.

And I've always understood that you made a great point of never doing anything which you considered in the least risque.

So why should I suppose you would rather du Laurier didn't know?
You might already have mentioned it to him." "He wouldn't believe you!" I exclaimed, desperately.

And my only hope was that I might be right.
"As a matter of fact, he didn't seem to at first, so I at once understood that you hadn't spoken of our appointment.

But it was too late to atone for my carelessness, and I did the next best thing: justified my veracity.