"Why did you do it? I can't think why."
"Do you remember your first impression of me?"
"I am not clever, but in other respects you were about right. I was tired of everything and particularly tired of myself. It was a sudden whim. I began it in order to get away from myself."
"But why did you go on with it?"
"I went on with it to be with you."
She looked away from him, and there was a quick flush of colour in her cheeks. "Anyhow," she said, "the mistake is at an end now. I must be going." But she did not speak very resolutely.
"Will you forgive me before you go?"
"Why should I forgive you?"
"Because," said the young man, with some audacity, "I have done you a very great service."