But he had already guessed.
"Because—because—I have promised not to."
"You have promised Mr. Kingston?"
Scarlet with pain and mortification, in an agony of embarrassment, she sighed almost inaudibly,
"Yes."
"Not to dance with me? or merely not to dance waltzes?"
"Must I tell you?" she pleaded, looking up with appealing wet eyes into his hard and haughty face.
"Not unless you like, Miss Fetherstonhaugh. I think I understand perfectly."
"Oh, Mr. Dalrymple, I want to tell you about it, but I cannot. I am saying things already that I ought not to speak of."
"I don't think so," he replied quickly, suddenly softening until his voice was almost a caress, and set all her sensitive nerves thrilling like an Æolian harp when a strong wind blows over it. "It is in your nature to be honest, and to tell the truth. You are not afraid to tell the truth to me?"