She had meant to give him no confidence, but he drew it from her.
'I've been very unhappy,' she confessed. 'I was very unhappy a good deal of the time, even when I was prosperous. And I've—I've told a lot of lies.'
The blunt statement wrung a passing smile from him.
'And if I'd gone on I must have told many more.'
'My responsibility is evidently heavy.' He paused, and then added, 'There are a good many things that make one lie.'
'Not in Danes Inn?' She laughed a little.
'Yes, even in Danes Inn,' said he, frowning.
'I don't think so, and I'm glad to be here,' she said. 'And some day, when I've more courage, I'll make a full confession and ask you to be friends still. I often thought about you and Peggy and the rest.'
He had begun to smoke, and did not look at her again till the long silence that followed her last words caught his attention. When he turned, she sat looking straight in front of her; he saw that her eyes were full of tears. He put down his pipe and came slowly over to her.
'It's been a bit worse than you've told me, Mrs. Trevalla?' he suggested.