"You needn't be afraid to confess," said he. "In the exuberance of her relief at finding all well, and not only being forgiven, but petted, she told me what a different man I was from the murderous image in her mind; and that she saw now you were right about me. Is it possible you defended me to her?"
"But of course," I said.
"In spite of all the injustice I did you—and showed that I did you?"
"I always felt myself to blame, and yet—yet it hurt me when I saw you disapproved of me. Since Chester——"
"It was that ring stuck in my throat," said he.
"You knew?" I stammered, turning red.
"Saw it in a shop window. And now I know why you did it—why you did everything, I think. Heavens, what good it would have done me to kick that little beast Burden all around the park!"
"There wouldn't have been anything left of him, if you had," I giggled, beginning to feel hysterical. "Oh, I am glad he's gone, though. I shall be going myself to-morrow, of course, but——"
"No," he said. "No, that must not be. I—Ellaline wants you."
"Hadn't I better see her now?" I asked meekly.