“You are mistaken.”

“No. I think I am not mistaken. I think you will accept it, because—because I ask you to.”

“I cannot, Miss Colton.”

“And your reason?”

“That I cannot tell anyone.”

“But you told my father.”

I was stricken dumb again.

She went on, speaking hurriedly, and not raising her eyes.

“You told my father,” she repeated, “and he told me.”

“He told you!” I cried.