‘Yes,’ he murmured.

‘You were not her false young man, surely? That one who—’

‘Yes, yes! Say no more about it.’

‘Who ran away from her?’

‘Almost.’

‘Then I can NEVER, NEVER like you again! I didn’t know it was a gentleman—I—I thought—’

‘It wasn’t a gentleman, then.’

‘O, sir, please go away! I can’t bear the sight of ‘ee at this moment! Perhaps I shall get to—to like you as I did; but—’

‘No; I’m d——d if I’ll go away!’ said Pierston, thoroughly irritated. ‘I have been candid with you; you ought to be the same with me!’

‘What do you want me to tell?’