"Yes, I kept the rendezvous; while you, sir, went strolling to the Bay with Miss Marbury—nor ever thought to cast even one look toward the rose-walk."
There could be no profit in prevaricating further. He was caught, and the quickest way out was to admit it.
"I did," he said humbly. "I did."
"Why did you not acknowledge it, at first?" she questioned.
"I thought, perhaps, you also had forgotten."
She looked at him, searchingly.
"Did you really forget?" she asked.
"As God is my witness!—until we were returning, I never thought of it. Then, as soon as I could leave Miss Marbury, I hastened to the rose-walk, and found it—deserted."
"It is a fine gentleman," she exclaimed, "who forgets one appointment, when another, more to his taste, intervenes!"
"I protest that you are unjust," he said. "I forgot, I admit, but I did it unwittingly and not of intention."