He had been precipitated into the declaration he had made not by his love, but by his embarrassment.

She had thrown in his teeth the injury which he had done her, and he had then been moved by his generosity to repair that injury by the noblest sacrifice which he could make.

But Lucy Robarts was not the girl to accept a sacrifice.

He had stepped forward as though he were going to clasp her round the waist, but she receded, and got beyond the reach of his hand.

"Lord Lufton!" she said, "when you are more cool you will know that this is wrong.