"Caroline?
You came for that ?" Suddenly he laughed heartily, but there was a tremor of emotion in that laughter.

The perfect torture, which had been wringing the soul of the man of the sneer, projected through the laughter.
"I ask your pardon, my dear," said John Mark to Ruth.

"I should have guessed.

You found him; he confessed why he was here; you took pity on him--and--" He brushed a hand across his forehead and was instantly himself, calm and cool.
"Very well, then.

It seems I've made an ass of myself, but I'll try to make up for it.