"I didn't," she exclaimed, and rushed on desperately. "Was it likely that I should feel anything but gratitude—and liking for any one who had done as much for me as you had?"
"You forget," he said quietly. "Afterwards—I transgressed. And you let me see that the transgression had wiped out my meritorious deeds—completely. It was quite the best thing that could happen," he added hastily, as she would have spoken. "I had no right, less right than any man on earth, to do—what I did. I abide by your decision."
The last words came slowly, meaningly. He was politely telling her that any overtures of friendship would be rejected.
Diana's pride lay in the dust, but she was determined he should not knew it. With her head held high, she said stiffly:—
"I don't think I'll wait any longer for Adrienne. Will you tell her, please, that I've gone back to Brutton Square?"
"Brutton Square?" he repeated swiftly. "Do you live there?"
"Yes. Have you any objection?"
He disregarded her mocking query and continued:—
"A Miss Lermontof lives there. Is she, by any chance, a friend of yours?" There seemed a hint of disapproval in his voice, and Diana countered, with another question.
"Why? Do you think I ought not to be friends with her?"