'I promised to him to stay on,' said Sir Clement, 'and I can hardly expect him to forgive me if I change my mind.'
This was put almost in the form of a question, and Mary thought she understood it.
'Then you mean to remain?' she asked.
'You compel me to go,' he replied dolefully.
'Oh no,' said Mary, 'I have nothing to do with your going or staying.'
'But it—it would hardly do for me to remain after what took place last night,' said the baronet, in the tone of one who was open to contradiction.
For the first time in the conversation Mary smiled. It was not, however, the smile every man would care to see at his own expense.
'If you were to go now,' she said, 'you would not be fulfilling your promise to papa, and I know that men do not like to break their word to—to other men.'
'Then you think I ought to stay?' asked Sir Clement eagerly.
'It is for you to think,' said Mary.