"You wanted me! You have been waiting for me! If I had known——" And while he spoke the strangest thoughts and possibilities shaped themselves in his brain, and died away again. If her presence called them up it also killed them. He saw that she was frightened. Her lip quivered, and her eyes looked larger and a little vague. She was gazing at him through a bright film of unshed tears.
"If I had known," he repeated confusedly, as he stepped forward. "What is it?"
They had not shaken hands in his first astonishment, and now she still looked up at him, and his hand dropped unheeded.
"I don't know what you will say to me," she began. "I am so very, very sorry—I felt I must come myself and ask you to forgive me."
"I forgive you! Why," said Reynold, his eyes shining, "it is you who should forgive!"
Barbara started, and the hot tears dropped, and slid over her burning blushes. She turned away, but too late to hide them. "What do you mean?" she said. "You don't know. I haven't told you yet. What do you suppose I have come for like this? What do you mean?"
He drew back as if he were stung.
"Well, what is it then?"
She threw two letters on the table.