lickered over her grave features, but she made no
remark.

"If I was guilty of an indiscretion in following you, Mademoiselle," he
pursued, "it was because of my great love for you. If you had chosen to
marry some one else, I couldn't have kept you from it; but at least I
was determined to try. Though I thought it incredible that you should
take a step like that, in secrecy and flight, yet I find so many strange
ways of marrying in America that I must be pardoned for my fear. As it
is, I cannot regret it, since, by a miracle, it gave me proof of that
which you have found it so difficult to believe. It has grieved me more
than I could ever make you understand to know that during all these
months you have doubted me."

"I'm sure of that," she said, softly, gazing into the fire. "But haven't
you wondered where I was that night when you followed me to Lakefield?"

"If I have, I shouldn't presume to inquire."

"It's a secret; but I should like to tell it to you. I know you'll guard
it sacredly, because it concerns--a woman's honor."

Though she did not look up, she felt the startled toss of the head,
characteristic of his moments of alarm.

"If Mademoiselle is pleased to be satirical--"

"No. There's no reason why I should be satirical. If, in spite of
everything, my confidence in you wasn't absolute, I shouldn't risk a
name I hold so dear as that of Dorothea Pruyn."

"_Tiens!_" he exclaimed, under his breath.

"Miss Pruyn is a charming girl, but she's been very foolish. What she
did was not quite so bad in American eyes as it would be in French ones,
but it was certainly very wilful. If you heard rumors of an elopement,
it was hers."

"_Mon Dieu!_ With the big Monsieur Reggie?"

"Not quite. I needn't tell you the young man's name; it will be enough
to say that the big Monsieur Reggie, as you call him, was in his
confidence. It was Reggie who undertook to convey Dorothea to Lakefield,
where she was to meet the bridegroom-elect and marry him."

"And then?"

"Then Reggie told me. It was silly of any one to intrust him with a
mission of the kind, for he couldn't possibly keep it to himself. He
told me while we were lunching at the Blitz. That's what he was
whispering. That's why I went away with him after lunch and left you
with my aunt. I saw you were annoyed, but I couldn't help it."

"You wanted to dissuade him?"

"I tried; but I saw it was too late for that. Reggie wouldn't desert his
friend at the last m