"How do you mean me to interpret that?" she demanded, straightforward.
"The intention was not uncomplimentary, perhaps," he said gravely; "though the clumsiness is incontestable. As for the rest of it—I'm not trying to flirt with you, if that's what you mean—yet. What I wished to convey was simply my intention no longer to bear my masculine weight upon a woman—either you or any other woman."
A smile contended momentarily with the frown, and triumphed brilliantly.
"I beg your pardon, I'm sure. But do you mind telling me what you do mean to do?"
"No."
"Well, then—?" The smile was deepening very pleasantly.
"I mean to ask you," he said deliberately, taking heart of this favourable manifestation: "to whom am I indebted—?"
To his consternation the smile vanished, as though a cloud had sailed before the sun. Doubt and something strongly resembling incredulity informed her glance.
"Do you mean to say you don't know?" she demanded after a moment.
"Believe me, I've no least idea—"