norant.

To her relief he showed his appreciation of the dazzling gift though he
made no effort to return it. Scorning all preliminaries in his eagerness
to discharge himself of a burden which was fast becoming intolerable, he
addressed her at once in these words:

"You are very good, Miss Strange, to receive me in this unconventional
fashion. I am in that desperate state of mind which precludes etiquette.
Will you listen to my petition? I am told--you know by whom--"(and he
again touched his shoulder) "that you have resources of intelligence
which especially fit you to meet the extraordinary difficulties of my
position. May I beg you to exercise them in my behalf? No man would be
more grateful if--But I see that you do not recognize me. I am Roger
Upjohn. That I am admitted to this gathering is owing to the fact that
our hostess knew and loved my mother. In my anxiety to meet you and
proffer my plea, I was willing to brave the cold looks you have probably
noticed on the faces of the people about us. But I have no right to
subject you to criticism. I--"

"Remain." Violet's voice was troubled, her self-possession disturbed;
but there was a command in her tone which he was only too glad to obey.
"I know the name" (who did not!) "and possibly my duty to myself should
make me shun a confidence which may burden me without relieving you. But
you have been sent to me by one whose behests I feel bound to respect
and--"

Mistrusting her voice, she stopped. The suffering which made itself
apparent in the face before her appealed to her heart in a way to rob
her of her judgment. She did not wish this to be seen, and so fell
silent.

He was quick to take advantage of her obvious embarrassment. "Should I
have been sent to you if I had not first secured the confidence of the
sender? You know the scandal attached to my name, some of it just, some
of it very unjust. If you will grant me an interview to-morrow, I will
make an endeavour to refute certain charges which I have hitherto let
go unchallenged. Will you do me this favour? Will you listen in your own
house to what I have to say?"

Instinct cried out against any such concession on her part, bidding
her beware of one who charmed without excellence and convinced without
reason. But compassion urged compliance and compassion won the day.
Though conscious of weakness,--she, Violet Strange on whom strong
men had come to rely in critical hours calling for well-balanced
judgment