"Do we know the truth now ?" she asked, looking at him steadfastly.

"I don't want to hurt you--you know that; but please tell me, did you really do it?
I mean, did you do it in the way we have been led to suppose ?" It was a great shock to Tommy.

He had not forgotten his vows to change his nature, and had she been sympathetic now he would have confessed to her the real reason of his silence.

He wanted boyishly to tell her, though of course without mention of the glove; but her words hardened him.
"Grizel!" he cried reproachfully, and then in a husky voice: "Can you really think so badly of me as that ?" "I don't know what to think," she answered, pressing her hands together, "I know you are very clever." He bowed slightly.
"Did you ?" she asked again.

She was no longer chiding herself for being over-careful; she must know the truth.
He was silent for a moment.