They walked side by side silently for some yards. Then he said,—
'Alice, I want you to tell me truly how it was you left home.'
A burning blush swept over her face, from forehead to throat, and that was the only answer she gave him.
'Come, tell me,' he persisted.
'Can't you guess?' she asked in a low voice, looking straight before her.
'Perhaps I can.'
'Perhaps? Of course you can. Why do girls ever leave good homes, and come to such a home as mine is now?'
'Then he has left you?'
'No,' she said, hurriedly; 'no, no, I've left him. But I can't talk about it to you.'
'Why not to me, if you can to anyone?' he asked.