"I must know!" he cried; passionately grasping her arm; "tell me, did she set out upon this mysterious journey alone?"
"I must decline to answer you."
"But I will not accept any denial! Miss Lee, you know what Margie was to me. There has arisen a fearful misunderstanding between us. I must have it explained. Why will you trifle with me? You must tell me what you know."
"I do not wish to arouse suspicions, Mr. Trevlyn, which may have no foundation to rest on. Only for your peace of mind do I withhold any information I may possess on the subject."
"It is a cruel kindness. Tell me everything at once, I beg of you!"
"Then, if it distresses you, do not blame me; Peter saw Mr. Louis Castrani at the depot, and is confident he went in the same train, in the same car, with Miss Harrison."
"Castrani! Great Heaven!" he staggered into a chair. "Is it possible? Margie, my Margie, that I thought so good and pure and truthful, false to me! It cannot, cannot be! I will not believe it!"
"I do not ask you to," said Alexandrine, proudly. "I insinuated nothing. I only replied to your question."
"Pardon me, Miss Lee. I am not quite myself this morning. I will go now. I thank you for what you have told me, and trust it will all be explained."
"I trust so," answered Miss Lee, turning to leave the room.