.. if you had only
come to us that first morning and frankly explained just why you
deserted us--if you had told us all this that you have just told me--"

"That is exactly what I wanted and intended to do," interrupted West. "I
kept silent out of regard for you."

"Out of regard for me?"

"When I started to tell you all about it, that night at Mrs. Byrd's, it
seemed to me that you had brooded over the matter until you had gotten
in an overwrought and--overstrung condition about it. It seemed to me
the considerate thing not to force the unwelcome topic upon you, but
rather to wait--"

"But had you the right to consider my imaginary feelings in such a
matter between yourself and ...? And besides, you did not quite keep
silent, you remember. You said something that led me to think that you
had discharged Mr. Surface for writing that article."

"I did not intend you to think anything of the kind. Anything in the
least like that. If my words were ambiguous, it was because, seeing, as
I say, that you were in an overstrung condition, I thought it best to
let the whole matter rest until you could look at it calmly and
rationally."

She made no reply.

"But why dwell on that part of it?" said West, beseechingly. "It was
simply a wretched misunderstanding all around. I'm sorrier than I can
tell you for my part in it. I have been greatly to blame--I can see that
now. Can't you let bygones be bygones? I have come to you voluntarily
and told you--"

"Yes, after six weeks. Why, I was the best friend he had, Mr. West,
and--Oh, me! How can I bear to remember what I said to him!"

She turned her face hurriedly away from him. West, much moved, struggled
on.

"But don't you see--I didn't know it! I never dreamed of such a thing.
The moment I heard how matters stood--"

"Did it never occur to you in all this time that it might be assumed
that Mr. Surface, having written all the reformatory articles, had
written this one?"

"I did not think of that. I was short-sighted, I own. And of course," he
added more eagerly, "I supposed that he had told you himself."

"You don't know him," said Sharlee.

A proud and beautiful look swept over her face. West rose, looking
wretchedly unhappy, and stood, irresolute, facing her.

"Can't you--forgive me?" he asked presently, in a painful voice.

Sharlee hesitated.

"Don't you know I said that it would only make things worse to talk
about it to-night?" she said gently. "Everything yo