"Who—Judith or I?" she asked, naïvely.
"Myself—myself! and to set you right, I acted the devil and kissed you by force."
"That is very good of you—to take the blame upon yourself—but I am guilty, too; I let you do it."
He shook his head—though he knew she spoke only the truth. Her readiness to share the blame, however, made it only the more obligatory for him to assume it all.
And she, knowing Maynadier better than he imagined, watched him with a sly smile, well understanding what would be his course.
"I will explain to Miss Marbury," he said. "And I am sure that she will never tell."
She laughed softly. "I am sure, too—I caught Sir Edward Parkington kissing her in the park yesterday, and there is no doubt that she was willing, for her arms were about his neck. Furthermore, she knows that I saw her."
Maynadier was silent. So the world turns! And Judith was willing! and Parkington was early taking the things that came his way! Vanity of vanities!... He laughed, a queer, dry laugh, that had no mirth in it, no feeling.
"Which being the case, I will have another—several others!" he said—and crushed her to him.
She lay in his arms, a moment, and gave him her lips—then, she put him firmly from her, and sat up.