She blushed a fiery red as she said the words, for there was a secret in her soul that was weighing very heavily.
Should she tell him that awful experience through which she had passed? She knew it would be honorable, but she could not do it, at least just then.
Marion returned at that moment, so the love scene ended. In a few moments Mr. Moore was obliged to leave them.
“When shall I see you again, Ralph?” asked Dollie, pouting a little. “Here you are, going away without saying a word about returning.”
The young man was standing with his hat in his hand, and for a second he seemed a little disconcerted.
Recovering himself, he said, with a tender glance:
“I shall come to-morrow, if possible, Dollie. If I don’t it will be business of importance that detains me.”
“Good-night, then,” she murmured, and her lover bent over her once more. He kissed her fondly in spite of Marion’s presence.
“I can never thank you enough for your kindness,” said Marion, following him to the door, “but some day I hope I shall be able to do you as great a favor.”
“You have done it already,” said Ralph Moore, earnestly. “You have sanctioned Dollie’s promise to marry me some day, and I can’t begin to tell you how I thank you.”