I believe I smiled.
"And you—you have told her this story?" he faltered.
"That's what I was engaged for."
"Oh, my God!" he reiterated blankly. "What shall I do!"
His agony was genuine enough. In spite of myself I was moved by it. "Better go," I said. "The matter will be hushed up, of course."
"Hushed up!" he cried. "Never!"
This theatrical pretence of innocence provoked me afresh. "Oh, get out!" I said. "And be thankful you're getting off so easily!"
He paid no attention to me. "I must see her," he muttered.
"What do you expect to gain by bluffing now?" I said impatiently. "You must see that the game is up."
"I will not leave here without seeing her," he said with a kind of dull obstinacy.