"I have told you," he said, "because otherwise you would have thought ill of me.

Now, with your permission, since there is no more to say upon the subject, I will return to my friends." He would have left her with the words, but she put out an impulsive hand.
"But, Bertie--" He took the hand, looking straight into her eyes, all his formality vanished at a breath.

"Ask me no more, little one," he said.

"You have asked too much already.

But you do not understand.