"I scarce know," she replied. "I suppose I just thought so, that was all."

"Would I be here now?" He tried to assure her with a tone of sincerity. "One need not hear a man speak to learn his mind."

"Yes. But I thought——"

He seized hold of her hand.

"Come," he said. "Won't you sit down while I tell you?"

She accepted his offer and allowed herself to be assisted.

"You thought that I was displeased with you on account of John Anderson," he remarked as he took his place by her side. "Am I correct?"

She did not answer.

"And you thought, perhaps, that I scorned you?"

"Oh, no! Not that! I did not think that ... I ... I...."