‘I behaved unkindly in the Queen’s Park,’ said he, ‘but I was hurt and offended at your conduct. Had I not cause?’
She blushed, yet her eye was bright with repressed exultation.
‘How have I offended you?’ she asked, quickly. ‘I would not do so willingly, you know.’
‘I thought you different from the others,’ he resumed, with more agitation. ‘In common charity I ask to be undeceived. Did I not see you in the Abbey garden the night before last?’
She trembled all over, but looked him full in the face nevertheless, yet so scared, so startled.
‘What then?’ she murmured, in obvious agitation.
‘You were not alone,’ he continued, with a severe brow; ‘who was your companion?’
She drew a long breath as if immensely relieved, nay, she almost smiled as she replied—
‘Then, you do not know? you cannot even guess?’