Drake came over to the piano, and stood leaning upon the lid of it; he took up the ring and turned it over in his fingers.

She said thoughtfully: 'I suppose that's true of men as well'; and then, with a hesitating correction, 'I mean of men like you.' 'What's true ?' 'Well, that they are best without--help from any one--that they stand in no need of it.' She spoke quite seriously, with a note almost of regret.
'Oh, I don't know that,' he answered, with a laugh.

'It would be a rash thing to say.

Of course a man ought to depend upon himself.' 'Oh, of course,' she agreed, and went on playing.
Drake was still holding the ring, and he said slowly: 'You remember that afternoon I told you about'-- he hesitated for a second--'Gorley ?' Clarice looked up in surprise.
'Yes,' she said.
'You were wearing this ring.

You hid your face in your hands.