"Sorry—for what?"

"For you."

Howard Maitland got on his feet, and walked the length of the room, and back; he said something under his breath. Then he drew up a chair beside her and took her hand.

"I never thought of such a thing."

"What!"

"You are the only girl I ever cared two cents for."

She put her hand against her young breast, in astounded question: "I?"

"I should think you'd have seen it. You, and—and everybody."

"But Howard, it can't be—me?" she protested, faintly.