The only one present having any real part was Percival Coolidge, and West had taken an instinctive dislike to this man.

Moreover, he had some reason to believe this feeling was warmly reciprocated; that the latter already suspected and watched him.

Only one explanation flashed into his mind to account for Miss Coolidge's unexpected announcement of an engagement between them--this would excuse any future intimacy; would enable them to meet alone freely without arousing comment.

She had deliberately chosen this course to disarm suspicion, and had failed to warn him in advance that she might test his nerve and discretion.

This appealed to him as the most reasonable explanation of the situation.