"I thank you for it most heartily," said I, still stiff and cold.
"And I was very wrong to-day. Simon, it was on her account."
"What?" I cried. "Did Mistress Quinton bid you put your head out and jest with the fellows on the pavement?"
"She did not bid me; but I did it because she was there."
I looked up at her; it was a rare thing with her, but she would not meet my glance. I looked down again.
"It was always the same between her and me," murmured Nell. "Ay, so long ago—even at Hatchstead."
"We're not in Hatchstead now," said I roughly.
"No, nor even in Chelsea. For even in Chelsea you had a kindness for me."
"I have much kindness for you now."
"Well, then you had more."