She said: "I did save you from—that!"

"You did—God knows." He himself was trembling a little; his face had turned very white.

"Then—then——" she forced her courage—lifted her frightened eyes, braving mockery and misconstruction—"then—is there a chance of my—helping you—further?"

For a moment her flushed face and timid question perplexed him; then the quick blood reddened his face, and he stared at her in silence.

"I—I can't help it," she faltered. "I believe in you—and in—salvation. . . . Please don't say anything to—hurt me."

"No," he said, still staring, "no, of course not. And—and thank you. You are very kind. . . . You are very kind. . . . I suppose you heard somebody say—what I am."

"Yes. . . . But that was long ago."

"Oh, you knew—you have known—for some time?"

"Yes."

He sat thinking for a while.